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 a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under 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 related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Bridge Pā rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Bridge Pā, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Bridge Pā rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Bridge Pā rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bridge Pā

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Bridge Pā

Rental properties in Bridge Pā should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed 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 acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Bridge Pā

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Bridge Pā

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of 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 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 dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the 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

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bridge Pā for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.