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 must make sure that 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 rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Bluff Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Bluff Hill rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in 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, and Draught-stopping in Bluff Hill rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Bluff Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bluff Hill

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Bluff Hill

Bluff Hill rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Bluff Hill

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Bluff Hill

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands 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 the 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Bluff Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Bluff Hill

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Bluff Hill include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bluff Hill for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes 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 an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.