Healthy Homes Assessment Seatoun

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Seatoun rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Seatoun, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Seatoun rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss having a Seatoun Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Draught Stopping Seatoun

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable 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 that is, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Seatoun

Seatoun rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Seatoun

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

Insulation Seatoun

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values 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 better 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Seatoun Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Rental Property Home Assessments Seatoun

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Seatoun include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Home Assessments Seatoun for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.