Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

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

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Highbury, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Highbury rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Get started now and contact us about getting a Highbury Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Highbury

Highbury rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent 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. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Highbury

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Highbury

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.