Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the standard of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Houghton Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. 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 to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.