Healthy Homes Assessment Seatoun

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Seatoun rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, 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 reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Seatoun, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Seatoun rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in 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 can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Seatoun

Rental properties in Seatoun should have a permanent heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Seatoun

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

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

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Seatoun

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the 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 lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to allow the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Seatoun Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seatoun

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Seatoun include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seatoun for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.