Healthy Homes Assessment Strathmore Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Strathmore Park 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess each of 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Strathmore Park rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Strathmore Park rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Strathmore Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Strathmore Park

Strathmore Park rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. 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) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Strathmore Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

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

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Strathmore Park

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Strathmore Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.