Healthy Homes Assessment Bluff Hill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Bluff Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are 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 requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Bluff Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Bluff Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Bluff Hill, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the standard of Bluff Hill rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Bluff Hill rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Bluff Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bluff Hill

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Bluff Hill

Bluff Hill rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued 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 offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Bluff Hill

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Bluff Hill

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Bluff Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Bluff Hill

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Bluff Hill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bluff Hill for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a 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 owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.