Healthy Homes Assessment Days Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Days Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Days Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Days Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Days Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Days Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Days Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Days Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps 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 the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Days Bay

Rental properties in Days Bay need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Days Bay

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Days Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Days Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Days Bay

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Days Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Days Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.