Healthy Homes Assessment Harbour View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Harbour View, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Harbour View rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Harbour View rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Harbour View

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Harbour View

Harbour View rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Harbour View

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Harbour View

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the 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 it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Harbour View

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Harbour View include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.