Healthy Homes Assessment Seaview

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 Seaview rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Seaview rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on 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 so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Seaview, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Seaview rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Seaview rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Seaview Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Seaview

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Seaview

Rental properties in Seaview need to have a stable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Seaview

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Seaview

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

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

Seaview Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Seaview

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Seaview include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Seaview for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.