Healthy Homes Assessment Camberley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Camberley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to fulfill the requirements of 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Camberley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Camberley, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Camberley rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Camberley rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Camberley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Camberley

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Camberley

Camberley rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Camberley

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Camberley

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Camberley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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 Camberley

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Camberley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Camberley for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.