Healthy Homes Assessment Broadmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Broadmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by 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 any tasks required. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Broadmeadows, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Broadmeadows rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Broadmeadows rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Broadmeadows

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may 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 imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Broadmeadows

Rental properties in Broadmeadows require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Broadmeadows

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Broadmeadows

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Broadmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Broadmeadows

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Broadmeadows include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Broadmeadows for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.