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 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present 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.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named 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 the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Highbury, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Highbury rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Highbury rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning 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 unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Highbury

Rental properties in Highbury need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Highbury

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Highbury

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps 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

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Highbury include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.