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 of July 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 renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified for 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners 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 person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Seaview, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Seaview rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Seaview rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seaview

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Seaview

Rental properties in Seaview must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during 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 health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Seaview

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Seaview

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier for the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Seaview Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seaview

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standard in Seaview include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seaview for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.