Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified for 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Oriental Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Oriental Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about the Oriental Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Oriental Bay

Rental properties in Oriental Bay need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the most 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 source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Oriental Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

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

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop 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 by the Healthy Homes Standards in Oriental Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.