Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of 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’re completely independent assessors of rental properties 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Houghton Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay need to have a stable heating source that can heat the 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 health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and 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 what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.