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 now have to make sure that their Harbour View rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 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 determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be 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 property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed 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 is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Harbour View, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Harbour View rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Harbour View rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Harbour View

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Harbour View

Harbour View rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Harbour View

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Harbour View

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Harbour View

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Harbour View include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.