Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 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 comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Boulcott rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Boulcott

Boulcott rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Boulcott

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Boulcott

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Boulcott include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.