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 July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate 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 about the tasks that requirements to be done and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified for both 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 done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Fairfield rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is 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 getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Fairfield

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

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fairfield

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

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

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

Each window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Fairfield

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• 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 and 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.