Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully 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 to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Boulcott rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Boulcott rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Boulcott

Rental properties in Boulcott must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Boulcott

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Boulcott

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective 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 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 quality.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Boulcott include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.