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 effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified for 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 on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for 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 the property in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Titahi Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Titahi Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Titahi Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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 better the insulation.

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

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

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Titahi Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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