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 are now required to ensure their Judgeford rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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 homes in New Zealand and Judgeford, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the standard of Judgeford rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Judgeford rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving 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 households. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Judgeford

Judgeford rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Judgeford

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Judgeford

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with 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 can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Judgeford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Judgeford

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Judgeford include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Judgeford for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.