Healthy Homes Assessment Strathmore Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Strathmore Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for 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 not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified for 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Strathmore Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Strathmore Park rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Strathmore Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Strathmore Park

Rental properties in Strathmore Park should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 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 wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

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

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

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Strathmore Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have 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 is about damp and water, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

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

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to 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 Strathmore Park

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Strathmore Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.