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 ensure that their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified for 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 on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

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

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Titahi Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Begin now by calling about having a Titahi Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in 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 instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Titahi Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes more easy for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with 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 proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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 with 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 to look over when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.