Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to assess 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Oriental Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Oriental Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a 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 cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

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 from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Oriental Bay

Oriental Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Oriental Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this 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; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Oriental Bay

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Oriental Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.