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? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Bluff Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Bluff Hill, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Bluff Hill rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Bluff Hill rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss 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 households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Bluff Hill

Rental properties in Bluff Hill require a reliable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe 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 include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Bluff Hill

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Bluff Hill

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

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

Bluff Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Bluff Hill

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Bluff Hill include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bluff Hill for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.