Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’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 conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or 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 the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Highbury, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Highbury rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Highbury rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Highbury

Rental properties in Highbury require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Highbury

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Highbury

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to 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 rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing 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

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Highbury include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.