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 July 2021? Landlords now have 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 completely 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for 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 supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Houghton Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Houghton Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about the Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine 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.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living room 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 health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat and 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 spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Houghton Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make more easy for the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater 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 of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.