Healthy Homes Assessment Fernhill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 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 will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Fernhill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

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

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Fernhill rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower 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 Draught Stopping on Fernhill rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fernhill

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far 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 may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Fernhill

Fernhill rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fernhill

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Fernhill

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fernhill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fernhill

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standard in Fernhill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fernhill for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.