Healthy Homes Assessment Titahi Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 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 rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and 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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Titahi Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Titahi Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Titahi Bay

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

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Titahi Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

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

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Titahi Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Titahi Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Titahi Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during a home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.