Healthy Homes Assessment Bridge Pā

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Bridge Pā rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties 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 will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified for 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Bridge Pā rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Bridge Pā rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Bridge Pā, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Bridge Pā rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Bridge Pā rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Bridge Pā Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bridge Pā

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Bridge Pā

Rental properties in Bridge Pā need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested 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) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Bridge Pā

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our 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 this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Bridge Pā

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

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, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Bridge Pā include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bridge Pā for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.