Healthy Homes Assessment Harbour View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must 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 are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to assess both 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Harbour View, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Harbour View rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Harbour View rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Harbour View Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Harbour View

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Harbour View

Harbour View rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Harbour View

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Harbour View

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Harbour View include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.