Healthy Homes Assessment Flaxmere

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Flaxmere rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may 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 provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Flaxmere, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Flaxmere rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Flaxmere rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Flaxmere

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Flaxmere

Rental properties in Flaxmere need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it could require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Flaxmere

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Flaxmere

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to allow the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

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

Flaxmere Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Flaxmere

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Flaxmere include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Flaxmere for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.