Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Houghton Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps 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 is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Houghton Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.