Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

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? Landlords now have to make sure that their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Fairfield rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting a Fairfield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Fairfield

Fairfield rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most 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 heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fairfield

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

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

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Fairfield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make more easy for the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Fairfield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.