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 in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Houghton Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Houghton Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs 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 can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full 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 Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.