Healthy Homes Assessment Bridge Pā

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Bridge Pā rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified 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 your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Bridge Pā rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Bridge Pā, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Bridge Pā rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Bridge Pā rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Bridge Pā Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bridge Pā

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off 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 household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Bridge Pā

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

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it may need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Bridge Pā

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality 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 mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Bridge Pā

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Bridge Pā Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The 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 The Healthy Homes Standards 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 things to check in a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.