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? Landlords now have to make sure their Oriental Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Oriental Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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 receiving a Oriental Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Oriental Bay

Rental properties in Oriental Bay should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Oriental Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Oriental Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, 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 an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.