Healthy Homes Assessment Broadmeadows

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? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Broadmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Broadmeadows, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Broadmeadows rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Broadmeadows rental properties.

Start now and call about the Broadmeadows Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Broadmeadows

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Broadmeadows

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Broadmeadows

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Broadmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 by The Healthy Homes Standard in Broadmeadows include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Broadmeadows for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal 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 in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.