Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Boulcott, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Boulcott rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Boulcott rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Boulcott Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Boulcott

Rental properties in Boulcott need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Boulcott

Every living space in 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 should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Boulcott

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper 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 an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.