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 of 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 new or renewed 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 can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified 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.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Boulcott rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Boulcott rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Boulcott Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Boulcott

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

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Boulcott

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Boulcott

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards 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 you should look for during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.