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 ensure their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to evaluate 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named 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 needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of 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 rent homes in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Boulcott rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal 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 today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Boulcott

Rental properties in Boulcott need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Boulcott

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Boulcott

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent 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 Boulcott

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.