Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both 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 must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large 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 ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Highbury, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Highbury rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Highbury rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Highbury Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Highbury

Highbury rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Highbury

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Highbury

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

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

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps 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 Highbury

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standards in Highbury include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.