Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be done and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 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 within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Titahi Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Titahi Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Titahi Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Titahi Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Titahi Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Titahi Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.