Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must 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 must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Fairfield rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for 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 increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Fairfield

Fairfield rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to include the 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, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Fairfield

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Fairfield

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

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

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

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

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Fairfield include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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