Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 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 to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Titahi Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Titahi Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Titahi Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Titahi Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when 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 entering the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 Titahi Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standards in Titahi Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.