Healthy Homes Assessment Seaview

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Seaview rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’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 in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Seaview, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Seaview rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Seaview rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seaview

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Seaview

Seaview rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Seaview

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Seaview

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Seaview Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seaview

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Seaview include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seaview for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.