Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified for both 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed 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 comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Titahi Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Titahi Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Titahi Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Rental properties in Titahi Bay must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 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 health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Titahi Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Titahi Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.