Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for 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 dropping temperatures within households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 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 could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Houghton Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy for the home to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Houghton Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.