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 are now required 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 must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Highbury, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Highbury rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Highbury Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable 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 and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Highbury

Rental properties in Highbury require a reliable source of heating that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Highbury

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Highbury

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

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

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

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from 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 Highbury

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Highbury include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.