Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Highbury, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Highbury rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Highbury rental properties.

Begin now by calling 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 homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Highbury

Rental properties in Highbury need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. 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 heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Highbury

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Highbury

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about 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 the Healthy Homes Standards in Highbury include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.