Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 completely compliant by 1 July 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed and offer the 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 conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty 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 for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

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 daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Titahi Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Titahi Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Titahi Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

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

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Titahi Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Titahi Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.