Healthy Homes Assessment Harbour View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Harbour View rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by 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. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could 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 building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

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 shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Harbour View rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Harbour View

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Harbour View

Harbour View rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Harbour View

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Harbour View

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the home to hold the heat.

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

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

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 Standards in Harbour View include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.