Healthy Homes Assessment Harbour View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Harbour View rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed, 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 in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully 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 Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Harbour View, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Harbour View rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Harbour View rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Harbour View Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Harbour View

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Harbour View

Rental properties in Harbour View must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Harbour View

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Harbour View

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists 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 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Harbour View

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Harbour View include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.