Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Highbury, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Highbury rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Highbury rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Highbury Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Highbury

Rental properties in Highbury must have a fixed heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Highbury

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Highbury

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Highbury

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Highbury include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.