Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Oriental Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to evaluate each of 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is 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 needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Oriental Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower 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, and Draught Stopping in Oriental Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Oriental Bay

Oriental Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Oriental Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard in Oriental Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.