Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Boulcott, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Boulcott rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Boulcott rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Boulcott Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Boulcott

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

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Boulcott

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Boulcott

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher 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 – the remainder of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough 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 an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.