Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of 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 contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 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.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also 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 should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Houghton Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation 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 standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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 quality.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.