Healthy Homes Assessment Frimley

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 now have to make sure that their Frimley 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 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 assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Frimley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Frimley, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Frimley rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Frimley rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Frimley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frimley

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Frimley

Rental properties in Frimley require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate 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 for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Frimley

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Frimley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

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

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Frimley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Frimley

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Frimley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frimley for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.