Healthy Homes Assessment Days Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Days Bay 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 are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Days Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Days Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Days Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Days Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Days Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Days Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Days Bay

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Days Bay

Rental properties in Days Bay need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Days Bay

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Days Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Days Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing 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 Days Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Days Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Days Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.