Healthy Homes Assessment Harbour View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Harbour View 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 areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Harbour View, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Harbour View rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Harbour View rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Harbour View Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Harbour View

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Harbour View

Harbour View rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Harbour View

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Harbour View

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make it easier for the household to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Harbour View

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Harbour View include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.