Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Trentham, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Trentham rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Trentham rental properties.

Start now and call about the Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Trentham

Trentham rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Trentham

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Trentham

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to 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 Trentham

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Trentham include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.