Healthy Homes Assessment Harbour View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware 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 rentals 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Harbour View, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Harbour View rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce 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 less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Harbour View rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Harbour View

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Harbour View

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

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like 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 your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Harbour View

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and that 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 hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Harbour View

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making much easier for the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 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 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 interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Harbour View

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Harbour View include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Harbour View for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.