Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Oriental Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order 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 work required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Oriental Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Oriental Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Oriental Bay

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

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Oriental Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 Standards in Oriental Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.