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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Trentham rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as 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 can lead to less temperature in households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Trentham

Trentham rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Trentham

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing 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 thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Trentham

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

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

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. 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 a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.