Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Oriental Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified for each of 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 new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Oriental Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over 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 on Oriental Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Oriental Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Oriental Bay

Rental properties in Oriental Bay should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Oriental Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task for the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. 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 Oriental Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Oriental Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.