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 effective on July 1st, 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 rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 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 requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Houghton Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Houghton Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property 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 hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Houghton Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand 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 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the 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 The Healthy Homes Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.