Healthy Homes Assessment Fernhill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Fernhill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

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

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

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 Fernhill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Fernhill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Fernhill, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Fernhill rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Fernhill rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Fernhill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fernhill

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Fernhill

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

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Fernhill

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Fernhill

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Fernhill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer 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, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fernhill

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standard in Fernhill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fernhill for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal 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?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house 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 landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.