Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Fairfield, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Fairfield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Fairfield

Rental properties in Fairfield require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Fairfield

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Fairfield

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to allow the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing 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 to the Healthy Homes Standards in Fairfield include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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