Healthy Homes Assessment Judgeford

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 that their Judgeford 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 are required to be fully conforming by the 1st 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 and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to assess 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 Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Judgeford, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Judgeford rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Judgeford rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Judgeford Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Judgeford

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is 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 allow air in or out from the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Judgeford

Judgeford rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Judgeford

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Judgeford

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy for the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Judgeford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Judgeford

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Judgeford include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Judgeford for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal 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?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.