Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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 associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Fairfield, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Fairfield rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Fairfield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Fairfield

Rental properties in Fairfield require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it could need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fairfield

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Fairfield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Fairfield include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.