Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified 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 to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of 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 work have to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance 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 letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

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

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on 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 dropping temperatures within households. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• 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 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

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

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also 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 water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.