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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Oriental Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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 related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Oriental Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning 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, as well Draught Control in 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 are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Oriental Bay

Oriental Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Oriental Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 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, underfloor 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

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

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Oriental Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Oriental Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.