Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

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 tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Boulcott rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Boulcott rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Boulcott

Rental properties in Boulcott require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

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

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Boulcott

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Boulcott

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. 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 concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit 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 rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.