Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Highbury, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Highbury rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Highbury rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Highbury Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Highbury

Rental properties in Highbury require a reliable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Highbury

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Highbury

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the 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 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.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Highbury

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Highbury include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.