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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Titahi Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information 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 conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Titahi Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Titahi Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Titahi Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Titahi Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Titahi Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Titahi Bay

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Titahi Bay

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Titahi Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes more easy for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Titahi Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent 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 to the Healthy Homes Standard 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 a myriad of things to be able to examine in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.