Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Titahi Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less 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, and Draught Stopping for Titahi Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us 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 less temperature in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Titahi Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands 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 of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Titahi Bay

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Titahi Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with 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 need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.