Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Highbury, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Highbury rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Highbury rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Highbury Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Highbury

Rental properties in Highbury must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Highbury

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Highbury

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure 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 properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing 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 with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Highbury include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.