Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to assess 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on 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 shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Boulcott rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Boulcott rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Boulcott

Rental properties in Boulcott require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Boulcott

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Boulcott

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

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

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Boulcott include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.