Healthy Homes Assessment Harbour View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 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 a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and 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

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

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Harbour View, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Harbour View rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living 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 Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control within Harbour View rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Harbour View

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Harbour View

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

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Harbour View

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Harbour View

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure 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’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent 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 this 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 through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Harbour View include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.