Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st 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 a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay must have a fixed heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies 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 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that 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.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Houghton Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.