Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards 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 related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to assess 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside 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 notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Trentham, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Trentham rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Trentham rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Trentham

Rental properties in Trentham should have a permanent heating source which can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Trentham

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Trentham

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Trentham

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.