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? Landlords now have to ensure that their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or 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 leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, 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 Call us today and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Titahi Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it 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 out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Rental properties in Titahi Bay require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will 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 safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Titahi Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier for the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 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 quality.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Titahi Bay

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Titahi Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.