Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in 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. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Boulcott, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Boulcott rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Boulcott rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Boulcott Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Boulcott

Boulcott rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Boulcott

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Boulcott

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.