Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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 important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Fairfield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Fairfield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Fairfield

Rental properties in Fairfield need to have a stable heating source that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature 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) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Fairfield

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Fairfield

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the 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 Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.