Healthy Homes Assessment Boulcott

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? Landlords must ensure that their Boulcott 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 fully compliant 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 assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Boulcott rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Boulcott, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Boulcott rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Boulcott rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Boulcott

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Boulcott

Rental properties in Boulcott require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Boulcott

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Boulcott

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Boulcott Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Boulcott

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Boulcott include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Boulcott for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.