Healthy Homes Assessment Seatoun

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 must make sure that their Seatoun rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Seatoun, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Seatoun rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Seatoun rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Seatoun Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seatoun

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Seatoun

Rental properties in Seatoun need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Seatoun

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Seatoun

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Seatoun Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and 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 moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seatoun

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Seatoun include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seatoun for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient 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 in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.