Healthy Homes Assessment Strathmore Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Strathmore Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and 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 comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Strathmore Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for 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 as Draught stopping for Strathmore Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Strathmore Park

Rental properties in Strathmore Park must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Strathmore Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol 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 - 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Strathmore Park

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standard in Strathmore Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.