Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must 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 are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified for 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Boulcott rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Boulcott rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Boulcott Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Boulcott

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

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might just need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Boulcott

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Boulcott

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the 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 can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task for the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.