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? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements 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 in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified for 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 brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Boulcott rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Boulcott

Rental properties in Boulcott require a reliable heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Boulcott

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Boulcott

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing 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

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.