Healthy Homes Assessment Harbour View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Harbour View rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by 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. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for 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 have to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Harbour View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Harbour View, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Harbour View rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Harbour View rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Harbour View Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Harbour View

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements 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 from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Harbour View

Rental properties in Harbour View require a reliable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Harbour View

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Harbour View

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Harbour View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the 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 a myriad of things to check during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.