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? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully certified 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to evaluate each of 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in 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 are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $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, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Titahi Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Titahi Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about the Titahi Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Titahi Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.