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 are now required to make sure their Broadmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Broadmeadows, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Broadmeadows rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Broadmeadows rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Broadmeadows

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Broadmeadows

Rental properties in Broadmeadows should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Broadmeadows

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Broadmeadows

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists 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 the 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Broadmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also 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 moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your 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 the Healthy Homes Standard in Broadmeadows include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Broadmeadows for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.