Healthy Homes Assessment Seaview

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Seaview rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 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 and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Seaview, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Seaview rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Seaview rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seaview

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Seaview

Rental properties in Seaview need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Seaview

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Seaview

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy for the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Seaview Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seaview

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Seaview include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seaview for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.