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 now have to ensure 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 must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Harbour View, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Harbour View rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Harbour View rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving 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 damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

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 out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Harbour View

Rental properties in Harbour View should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Harbour View

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow 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 thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Harbour View

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing 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 Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Harbour View include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.