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? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Titahi Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter 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 requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Titahi Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required 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 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Titahi Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards 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 many things to look over when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.