Healthy Homes Assessment Bluff Hill

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 that their Bluff Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate each of 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 Bluff Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Bluff Hill, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Bluff Hill rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Bluff Hill rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Bluff Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bluff Hill

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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 and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Bluff Hill

Bluff Hill rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space 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 heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Bluff Hill

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Bluff Hill

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Bluff Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Bluff Hill

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Bluff Hill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bluff Hill for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.