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 July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 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 determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. 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 violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to assess 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Titahi Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control 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 can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the 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 important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Titahi Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 through The Healthy Homes Standards in Titahi Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.