Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information 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 information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Houghton Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. 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 needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Houghton Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.