Healthy Homes Assessment Fernhill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Fernhill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Fernhill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Fernhill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Fernhill, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Fernhill rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Fernhill rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Fernhill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fernhill

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Fernhill

Fernhill rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it may require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fernhill

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Fernhill

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to allow the home to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fernhill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture 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, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fernhill

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Fernhill include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fernhill for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.