Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Titahi Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards 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 may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Rental properties in Titahi Bay require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

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. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Titahi Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Titahi Bay

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Titahi Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.