Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

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 make sure their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Titahi Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Titahi Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Rental properties in Titahi Bay require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Titahi Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to allow the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Titahi Bay

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Titahi Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.