Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a 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 assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details 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 necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Titahi Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Titahi Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Titahi Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. 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 requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Titahi Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy 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 many concerns you should look for during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.