Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

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

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Fairfield rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about having a Fairfield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Fairfield

Fairfield rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Fairfield

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Fairfield

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

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

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place 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 rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Fairfield

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Fairfield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.