Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Trentham, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Trentham rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Trentham rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Trentham

Rental properties in Trentham should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Trentham

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Trentham

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Trentham

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Trentham include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.