Healthy Homes Assessment Harbour View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by 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’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

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

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Harbour View, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Harbour View rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Harbour View rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Harbour View Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Harbour View

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Harbour View

Rental properties in Harbour View need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on 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 wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Harbour View

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Harbour View

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the house to retain 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 the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Harbour View

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Harbour View include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.