Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess each of 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Highbury, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Highbury rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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 on Highbury rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Highbury Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Highbury

Highbury rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living space 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 well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Highbury

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Highbury

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Highbury include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.