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 are now required to ensure that their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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 healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Boulcott rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Boulcott rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Boulcott Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in the 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 well-being homes

Heating Boulcott

Rental properties in Boulcott need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, 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 could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Boulcott

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Boulcott

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The 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 Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.