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 must make sure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Houghton Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of 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 now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, 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 could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Houghton Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• 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 and 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

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

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.