Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton 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 now have to make sure that their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation 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 so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Houghton Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Houghton Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to allow the house to keep the 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 the insulation withstands 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 area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent 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 Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

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

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.