Healthy Homes Assessment Harbour View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Harbour View rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to evaluate each of 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement 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 home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Harbour View, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Harbour View rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Harbour View rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Harbour View

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home will cost more 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 sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Harbour View

Rental properties in Harbour View must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Harbour View

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Harbour View

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of 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 more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Harbour View include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.