Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton 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 now have to ensure that their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Houghton Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Houghton Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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