Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

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

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Titahi Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Titahi Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating 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 area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Titahi Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

Learn more about 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 it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also assists 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 to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Titahi Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.