Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Titahi Bay 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 fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Titahi Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over 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 Titahi Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Titahi Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Rental properties in Titahi Bay need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Titahi Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make it easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Titahi Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Titahi Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.