Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Houghton Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay must have a fixed heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Houghton Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor 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

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

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure 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 is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing 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 Houghton Bay

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.