Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified for 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 items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Titahi Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Titahi Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Titahi Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Titahi Bay

Rental properties in Titahi Bay should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Titahi Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Titahi Bay

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards 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 concerns you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.