Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall 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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed 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 can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement 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 property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Lyall Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Lyall Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors during 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 important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Lyall Bay

Rental properties in Lyall Bay must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. 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 Lyall Bay

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Lyall Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.