Healthy Homes Assessment Strathmore Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Strathmore Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’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 to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure 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 incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Strathmore Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Strathmore Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Strathmore Park

Rental properties in Strathmore Park should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Strathmore Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements 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 the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Strathmore Park

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Strathmore Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.