Healthy Homes Assessment Greenmeadows

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Greenmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Greenmeadows, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Greenmeadows rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Greenmeadows rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Greenmeadows Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Draught Stopping Greenmeadows

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Heating Greenmeadows

Greenmeadows rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended 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 needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Greenmeadows

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

Insulation Greenmeadows

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Greenmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Greenmeadows

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Greenmeadows include each:

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

Home Assessments Greenmeadows for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.