Healthy Homes Assessment Broadmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under 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 $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 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.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment 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 suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Broadmeadows rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for 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 can lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Broadmeadows

Rental properties in Broadmeadows must have a fixed heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, 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 be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Broadmeadows

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Broadmeadows

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Broadmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place 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 water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing 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

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Broadmeadows include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Broadmeadows for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.