Healthy Homes Assessment Belmont

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Belmont rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in 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 are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Belmont, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Belmont rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Belmont rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Belmont Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Belmont

Belmont rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Belmont

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Belmont

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Belmont

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Belmont include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Belmont for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.