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 must ensure that 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 covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely 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 contract is signed on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 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 each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for 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 as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Titahi Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Titahi Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Rental properties in Titahi Bay need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Titahi Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Titahi Bay

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Titahi Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.