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 now have to make sure that their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets 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 the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Titahi Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over 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 within Titahi Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Titahi Bay

Rental properties in Titahi Bay must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Titahi Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Titahi Bay

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Titahi Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.