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 are now required to make sure that 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 fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified for 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Houghton Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Houghton Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable 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 is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 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 well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Houghton Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important 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 floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 to The Healthy Homes Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.