Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully 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 tenancy is signed for a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Boulcott, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Boulcott rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and 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 may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Boulcott

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

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Boulcott

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air will be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Boulcott

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.