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 effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to 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 are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects 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 standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Houghton Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Houghton Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements 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 hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Houghton Bay

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

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standards in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• 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 during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.