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 must make sure that their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Fairfield rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Fairfield rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Fairfield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Fairfield

Fairfield rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fairfield

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Fairfield

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists 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 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Fairfield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.