Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under 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 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if 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 expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Titahi Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Titahi Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require 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, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Titahi Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Titahi Bay

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Titahi Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.