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 ensure their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Highbury, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Highbury rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Highbury rental properties.

Start now and call about the Highbury Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Highbury

Highbury rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Highbury

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Highbury

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Highbury include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in a home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.