Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Highbury, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Highbury rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Start now and call about the Highbury Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Highbury

Rental properties in Highbury require a reliable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Highbury

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Highbury

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 standard.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent 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
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.