Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. 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 who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Oriental Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Oriental Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us 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 lower temperatures in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Oriental Bay

Rental properties in Oriental Bay need to have a stable heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the 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 requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Oriental Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to allow the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting 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 quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Oriental Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Oriental Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.