Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in 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 healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for both 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Houghton Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Houghton Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard 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 myriad of concerns you should look for in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.