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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Oriental Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord 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 could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed 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?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Oriental Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Oriental Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Oriental Bay

Rental properties in Oriental Bay require a reliable source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Oriental Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

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

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Oriental Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.