Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate both 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable 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 company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Highbury rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Highbury rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Highbury Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Highbury

Rental properties in Highbury require a reliable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, 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 heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Highbury

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Highbury

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the home to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent 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 Highbury

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standards in Highbury include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.