Healthy Homes Assessment Seatoun

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Seatoun rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a 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, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Seatoun, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Seatoun rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in 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 within Seatoun rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Seatoun Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seatoun

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Seatoun

Rental properties in Seatoun require a reliable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Seatoun

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Seatoun

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to allow the house to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 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.

Seatoun Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seatoun

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Seatoun include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seatoun for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.