Healthy Homes Assessment Bluff Hill

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 are now required to ensure that their Bluff Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Bluff Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Bluff Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

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

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

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Bluff Hill, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Bluff Hill rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Bluff Hill rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Bluff Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bluff Hill

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Bluff Hill

Rental properties in Bluff Hill require a reliable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Bluff Hill

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Bluff Hill

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Bluff Hill 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 also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Bluff Hill

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Bluff Hill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bluff Hill for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.