Healthy Homes Assessment Days Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Days Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Days Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of 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 is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Days Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Days Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within 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 may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Days Bay

Days Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during 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 outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Days Bay

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Days Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the home to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Days Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Days Bay

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Days Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Days Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.