Healthy Homes Assessment Frimley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Frimley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Frimley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Frimley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Frimley, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Frimley rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Frimley rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Frimley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frimley

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Frimley

Frimley rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Frimley

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Frimley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Frimley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Frimley

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Frimley include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frimley for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.