Healthy Homes Assessment Seaview

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 make sure their Seaview rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties 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 can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Seaview, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Seaview rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Seaview rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Seaview Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seaview

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of 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 stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Seaview

Seaview rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Seaview

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Seaview

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Seaview Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Seaview include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seaview for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.