Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Oriental Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Oriental Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Oriental Bay

Rental properties in Oriental Bay need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in 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 if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Oriental Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making much easier for the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Oriental Bay

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

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

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.