Healthy Homes Assessment Bridge Pā

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Bridge Pā rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Bridge Pā rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Bridge Pā rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down 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 hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Bridge Pā rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Bridge Pā rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Bridge Pā Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bridge Pā

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Bridge Pā

Bridge Pā rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Bridge Pā

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Bridge Pā

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

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

Bridge Pā Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Bridge Pā

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Bridge Pā include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bridge Pā for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient 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 tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.