Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Boulcott rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Boulcott rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Boulcott

Rental properties in Boulcott require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Boulcott

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be easier to heat, and that a property 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 hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Boulcott

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should 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 replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the 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 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 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

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The 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 through the Healthy Homes Standards in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

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

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.