Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Oriental Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Oriental Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Oriental Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Oriental Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Oriental Bay

Rental properties in Oriental Bay must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent 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 for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Oriental Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task for the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Oriental Bay

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Oriental Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need 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 repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.