Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know 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 new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as 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 requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Houghton Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. 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 comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Houghton Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to the household to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.