Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified for both 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also 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 before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Houghton Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

Learn more 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 the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• 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 a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.