Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that 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 must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified 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 tenancy is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Highbury rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Highbury rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Highbury

Rental properties in Highbury must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Highbury

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Highbury

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The 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 Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Highbury include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.