Healthy Homes Assessment Judgeford

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Judgeford rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Judgeford, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Judgeford rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Judgeford rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Judgeford

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably 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 allow air to enter or exit within the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Judgeford

Judgeford rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. 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 requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Judgeford

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Judgeford

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Judgeford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Judgeford

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Judgeford include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Judgeford for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• 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 stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.