Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to assess both 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Fairfield, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Fairfield rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Start now and call about having a Fairfield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Fairfield

Fairfield rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Fairfield

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Fairfield

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to allow the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Fairfield include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.