Healthy Homes Assessment Seaview

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Seaview rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Seaview, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Seaview rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in 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 increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Seaview

Seaview rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Seaview

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Seaview

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Seaview Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seaview

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Seaview include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seaview for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.