Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Boulcott rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Boulcott rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Boulcott

Boulcott rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on 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 needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Boulcott

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Boulcott

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with 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 withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.