Healthy Homes Assessment Seatoun

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Seatoun rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st 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 whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess 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 new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding 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 of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Seatoun, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Seatoun rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower 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 Draught Stopping on Seatoun rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Seatoun Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seatoun

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Seatoun

Rental properties in Seatoun should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. 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 source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Seatoun

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Seatoun

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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, underfloor 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Seatoun Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seatoun

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Seatoun include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seatoun for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.