Healthy Homes Assessment Broadmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Broadmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

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 Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, 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.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Broadmeadows, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Broadmeadows rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Broadmeadows rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Broadmeadows

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Broadmeadows

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Broadmeadows

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier for the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand 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 – all of the 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 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Broadmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Broadmeadows

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Broadmeadows include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Broadmeadows for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.