Healthy Homes Assessment Bluff Hill

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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Bluff Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done 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 under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Bluff Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Bluff Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Bluff Hill, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Bluff Hill rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bluff Hill

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Bluff Hill

Bluff Hill rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Bluff Hill

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Bluff Hill

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task for the household to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Bluff Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing 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 Bluff Hill

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Bluff Hill include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bluff Hill for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.