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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified 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 whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Titahi Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance 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 Control within Titahi Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house need seals. 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 such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Rental properties in Titahi Bay should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Titahi Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that 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 an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.