Healthy Homes Assessment Harbour View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Harbour View rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 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’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified for both 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Harbour View, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Harbour View rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Harbour View rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Harbour View Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Harbour View

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Harbour View

Harbour View rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Harbour View

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Harbour View

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement 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 in the underfloor, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Harbour View

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Harbour View include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.