Healthy Homes Assessment Judgeford

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Judgeford rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Judgeford, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Judgeford rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Judgeford rental properties.

Start now and call about the 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 cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Judgeford

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

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Judgeford

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Judgeford

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Judgeford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 Standards in Judgeford include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Judgeford for Rental Properties

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

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.