Healthy Homes Assessment Seaview

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Seaview rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 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 and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess both 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 new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Seaview, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Seaview rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in 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 in Seaview rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Seaview Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seaview

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it 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, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Seaview

Seaview rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Seaview

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Seaview

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Seaview Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seaview

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Seaview include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seaview for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.