Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

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 that their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Highbury, and research shows us that these 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.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Highbury rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning 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, as well Draught-stopping in Highbury rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Highbury

Rental properties in Highbury require a reliable source of heat which can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Highbury

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Highbury

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the house to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Highbury

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Highbury include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.