Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Boulcott rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Boulcott

Rental properties in Boulcott must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Boulcott

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Boulcott

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier for the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

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 Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.