Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we 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

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Titahi Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Titahi Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Titahi Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it may require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Titahi Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a 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 floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Titahi Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.