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? The landlords are now required to 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 rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Titahi Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Titahi Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

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

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface 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 could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard in Titahi Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.