Healthy Homes Assessment Seaview

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Seaview rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully 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 determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Seaview, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Seaview rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Seaview rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Seaview Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seaview

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Seaview

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

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Seaview

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Seaview

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Seaview Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seaview

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Seaview include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seaview for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.