Healthy Homes Assessment Seaview

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Seaview rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Seaview, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Seaview 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 is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Seaview rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Seaview Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seaview

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Seaview

Seaview rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Seaview

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Seaview

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Seaview Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seaview

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Seaview include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seaview for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.