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 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Titahi Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for 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 may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Titahi Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor 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 the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.