Healthy Homes Assessment Broadmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Broadmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Broadmeadows, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Broadmeadows rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Broadmeadows

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Broadmeadows

Rental properties in Broadmeadows need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent 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 used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Broadmeadows

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air will be easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Broadmeadows

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making it easier for the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Broadmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Broadmeadows

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Broadmeadows for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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