Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Fairfield rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Fairfield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Fairfield

Fairfield rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fairfield

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Fairfield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the house to keep heat.

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

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

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

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 to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Fairfield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

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

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.