Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Highbury, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Highbury rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Highbury rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Highbury Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Highbury

Highbury rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Highbury

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Highbury

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the home to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Highbury

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Highbury include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• 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 falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.