Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Oriental Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Oriental Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about the Oriental Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Oriental Bay

Rental properties in Oriental Bay need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate 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 with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Oriental Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Oriental Bay

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Oriental Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.