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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for each of 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of 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, and Draught-stopping within 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 can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. 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 heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Houghton Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make more easy for the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.