Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Boulcott rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less 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, and Draught Control within Boulcott rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Boulcott

Boulcott rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Boulcott

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Boulcott

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements 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 insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.