Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements 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 under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details 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 rent in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Fairfield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Fairfield rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Fairfield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Fairfield

Rental properties in Fairfield need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fairfield

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Fairfield

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed 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 that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Fairfield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.