Healthy Homes Assessment Bluff Hill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Bluff Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Bluff Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within 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 incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Bluff Hill, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Bluff Hill rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Bluff Hill rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bluff Hill

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Bluff Hill

Rental properties in Bluff Hill should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may need a top up in order to comply with 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.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Bluff Hill

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Bluff Hill

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making much easier for the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well 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 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about 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 interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Bluff Hill

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Bluff Hill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bluff Hill for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.