Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the 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 any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Highbury, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Highbury rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within 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 may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Highbury

Rental properties in Highbury must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested 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 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Highbury

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Highbury

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task for the house to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

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 Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.