Healthy Homes Assessment Harbour View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Harbour View rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and 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 required. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Harbour View, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Harbour View rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Harbour View rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Harbour View Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Harbour View

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Harbour View

Harbour View rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Harbour View

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Harbour View

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Harbour View

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Harbour View include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.