Healthy Homes Assessment Broadmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Broadmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess both 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details 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 necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Broadmeadows, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the standard of Broadmeadows rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Broadmeadows rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Broadmeadows Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Broadmeadows

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Broadmeadows

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Broadmeadows

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to allow the home to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 quality.

Broadmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Broadmeadows

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standard in Broadmeadows include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Broadmeadows for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.