Healthy Homes Assessment Pukerua 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 make sure that their Pukerua Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work 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.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Pukerua Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Pukerua Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Pukerua Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukerua Bay

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A humid home 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 the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pukerua Bay

Pukerua Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pukerua Bay

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Pukerua Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Pukerua Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pukerua Bay

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Pukerua Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukerua Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.