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 must make sure their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Boulcott, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the standard of Boulcott rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Boulcott rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Boulcott

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

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Boulcott

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Boulcott

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure 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 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Boulcott include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.