Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Highbury, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Highbury rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance 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 Control within Highbury rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Highbury

Highbury rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Highbury

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Highbury

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task for the household to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Highbury

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Highbury include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.