Healthy Homes Assessment Harbour View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Harbour View rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Harbour View, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Harbour View rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within 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 houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Harbour View

Rental properties in Harbour View must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has 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 cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Harbour View

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Harbour View

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 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 numerous concerns you should look for in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.