Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that 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 are required to be completely certified by 1 July 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. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 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 within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Oriental Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Oriental Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Oriental Bay

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

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Oriental Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality 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 floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier 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 helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Oriental Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Oriental Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.