Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

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 Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Titahi Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Titahi Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about the Titahi Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Titahi Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent 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 Titahi Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Titahi Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.