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 the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Boulcott rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Boulcott rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Boulcott Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Boulcott

Rental properties in Boulcott should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Boulcott

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Boulcott

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists 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 Boulcott

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Boulcott include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.