Healthy Homes Assessment Highbury

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Highbury rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to assess both 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Highbury rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to note that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Highbury, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Highbury rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Highbury rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Highbury

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

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Highbury

Rental properties in Highbury should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Highbury

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Highbury

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task for the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Highbury Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The 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 Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Highbury include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Highbury for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.