Healthy Homes Assessment Strathmore Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Strathmore Park 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 are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order 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 done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research suggests that rental homes are more 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 can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Strathmore Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Strathmore Park rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Strathmore Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Strathmore Park

Strathmore Park rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Strathmore Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

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

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Strathmore Park

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Strathmore Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces 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 sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.