Healthy Homes Assessment Harbour View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 are required to 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 whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed 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 one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

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

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Harbour View, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Harbour View rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in 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 as Draught stopping in Harbour View rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a 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 cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. 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 holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Harbour View

Harbour View rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Harbour View

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Harbour View

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists 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 remainder 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Harbour View

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.