Healthy Homes Assessment Seaview

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Seaview rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Seaview, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Seaview rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs 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 Draught Control on Seaview rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Seaview Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seaview

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Seaview

Seaview rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. 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 needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Seaview

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Seaview

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Seaview Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Seaview

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Seaview include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seaview for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.