Healthy Homes Assessment Seatoun

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Seatoun rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals 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 assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of 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 $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Seatoun, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Seatoun rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Seatoun rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seatoun

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Seatoun

Seatoun rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Seatoun

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Seatoun

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Seatoun Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Seatoun include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seatoun for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.