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 effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Strathmore Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Strathmore Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting a Strathmore Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Strathmore Park

Strathmore Park rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Strathmore Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier for the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands 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 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Strathmore Park

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.