Healthy Homes Assessment Judgeford

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Judgeford rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Judgeford, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience 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 quality of Judgeford rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Judgeford Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Judgeford

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Judgeford

Rental properties in Judgeford need to have a stable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Judgeford

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Judgeford

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Judgeford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Judgeford

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standard in Judgeford include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Judgeford for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.