Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Boulcott rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Boulcott rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Boulcott

Boulcott rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Boulcott

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Boulcott

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for 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 standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 standard.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.