Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Fairfield rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Fairfield rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Fairfield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Fairfield

Fairfield rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Fairfield

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Fairfield

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Fairfield include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.