Healthy Homes Assessment Seatoun

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Seatoun 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to assess 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Seatoun, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Seatoun rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Seatoun rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Seatoun Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seatoun

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Seatoun

Rental properties in Seatoun need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Seatoun

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. 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 with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Seatoun

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Seatoun Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seatoun

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standard in Seatoun include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seatoun for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.