Healthy Homes Assessment Seatoun

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 must ensure that their Seatoun rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess 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 about any work which requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Seatoun rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Seatoun, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Seatoun rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Seatoun rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Seatoun Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seatoun

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Seatoun

Rental properties in Seatoun must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Seatoun

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Seatoun

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements 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 the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Seatoun Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent 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 Seatoun

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seatoun for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.