Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will 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 about the work that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Titahi Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Titahi Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Titahi Bay

Rental properties in Titahi Bay must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Titahi Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Titahi Bay

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Titahi Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.