Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Fairfield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Fairfield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area 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 out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Fairfield

Rental properties in Fairfield require a reliable heating source which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fairfield

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Fairfield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standards in Fairfield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.