Healthy Homes Assessment Days Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Days 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 fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas 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 assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Days Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request a house inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Days Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Days Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Days Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Days Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Days Bay

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

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

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Days Bay

Days Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during 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 well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Days Bay

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Days Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to the house to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Days Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. 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 Days Bay

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Days Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Days Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.