Healthy Homes Assessment Seatoun

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Seatoun rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we 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

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

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households 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 houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Seatoun rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance 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 Control in Seatoun rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Seatoun Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seatoun

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors 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 important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Seatoun

Seatoun rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Seatoun

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Seatoun

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Seatoun Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard 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 things you should look for during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. 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 replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.