Healthy Homes Assessment Judgeford

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 are now required to ensure that their Judgeford 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 fully certified 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 evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house evaluation 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 are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Judgeford, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Judgeford rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower 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, as well Draught Stopping in Judgeford rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Judgeford

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Judgeford

Judgeford rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Judgeford

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Judgeford

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements 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 measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Judgeford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Judgeford

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Judgeford include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Judgeford for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.