Healthy Homes Assessment Bluff Hill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Bluff Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Bluff Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Bluff Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Bluff Hill, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Bluff Hill rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. 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 Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Bluff Hill rental properties.

Start now and call about the Bluff Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bluff Hill

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Bluff Hill

Bluff Hill rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Bluff Hill

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Bluff Hill

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Bluff Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The 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 by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Bluff Hill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bluff Hill for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.