Healthy Homes Assessment Seaview

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Seaview rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to evaluate both 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 tenancy is signed for a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Seaview, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Seaview rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Seaview rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seaview

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Seaview

Rental properties in Seaview need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently 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 current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Seaview

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Seaview

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow 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 gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

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

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

Seaview Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seaview

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Seaview include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seaview for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.