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 now have 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 rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Bluff Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Bluff Hill, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Bluff Hill rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Bluff Hill rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Bluff Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bluff Hill

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Bluff Hill

Rental properties in Bluff Hill need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 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 heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Bluff Hill

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Bluff Hill

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with 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 can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Bluff Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property 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 to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 through the Healthy Homes Standard in Bluff Hill include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bluff Hill for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.