Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

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 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 must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Boulcott rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected 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 the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Boulcott rental properties.

Start now and call about the Boulcott Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Boulcott

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

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it may need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Boulcott

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how 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 rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Boulcott

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier for the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the 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 but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.