Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton 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 Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed 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 will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve 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 living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Houghton Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Houghton Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher 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 area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.