Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Boulcott rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Boulcott rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Boulcott

Boulcott rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Boulcott

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

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Boulcott

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier for the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• 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 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 quality.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.