Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can 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 supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Highbury, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Highbury rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Highbury rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Highbury Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Highbury

Highbury rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Highbury

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Highbury

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy for the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the 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 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to 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 typically not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is 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 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

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Highbury include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.