Healthy Homes Assessment Bridge Pā

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Bridge Pā rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Bridge Pā rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for 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 name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Bridge Pā, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Bridge Pā rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Bridge Pā rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bridge Pā

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Bridge Pā

Rental properties in Bridge Pā require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living room to at least 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 well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Bridge Pā

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Bridge Pā

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory 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 standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Bridge Pā Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 Bridge Pā

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Bridge Pā include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bridge Pā for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.