Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

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

It is important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Houghton Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Houghton Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task for the home to keep 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 insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.