Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Highbury, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Highbury rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Highbury rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Highbury Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Highbury

Highbury rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Highbury

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Highbury

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Highbury

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standard in Highbury include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.