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 their Harbour View rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully compliant 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 determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Harbour View, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Harbour View rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Harbour View rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Harbour View Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Harbour View

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Harbour View

Harbour View rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (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. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Harbour View

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Harbour View

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making more easy for the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective 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 isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Harbour View

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Harbour View include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.