Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

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? Landlords are now required to ensure their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Boulcott, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Boulcott rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

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 out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Boulcott

Boulcott rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Boulcott

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Boulcott

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Boulcott include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.