Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall 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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Lyall Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Lyall Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Lyall Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Lyall Bay

Lyall Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. 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 heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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

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

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Lyall Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.