Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Boulcott rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified for 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may 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 building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Boulcott, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Boulcott rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Boulcott rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Boulcott

Boulcott rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Boulcott

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Boulcott

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your 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 with The Healthy Homes Standard in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.