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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Seatoun rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Seatoun rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Seatoun rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Seatoun Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seatoun

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Seatoun

Seatoun rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Seatoun

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Seatoun

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Seatoun Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seatoun

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Seatoun include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seatoun for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.