Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Fairfield rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Fairfield rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Fairfield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Fairfield

Fairfield rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fairfield

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Fairfield

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.