Healthy Homes Assessment Greenmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Greenmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 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 requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Greenmeadows, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Greenmeadows rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Greenmeadows rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Greenmeadows Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Greenmeadows

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Greenmeadows

Rental properties in Greenmeadows need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Greenmeadows

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate 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 the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Greenmeadows

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Greenmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Greenmeadows

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Greenmeadows include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Greenmeadows for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.