Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for each of 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 contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done 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 done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Houghton Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Houghton Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Houghton Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

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 Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.