Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Fairfield rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Fairfield rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Fairfield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Fairfield

Rental properties in Fairfield should have a permanent heating source that can heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fairfield

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Fairfield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Fairfield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.