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 effect on the 1st July 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 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for each of 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract 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 one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Houghton Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be 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, as well Draught Stopping for Houghton Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Houghton Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.