Healthy Homes Assessment Bridge Pā

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Bridge Pā rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Bridge Pā rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Bridge Pā rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may 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 reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Bridge Pā, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Bridge Pā rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Bridge Pā rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Bridge Pā Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bridge Pā

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Bridge Pā

Rental properties in Bridge Pā must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Bridge Pā

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Bridge Pā

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Bridge Pā Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Bridge Pā

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Bridge Pā include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bridge Pā for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.