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 of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the 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 expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to note that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Houghton Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Houghton Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current 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 like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, 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 may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 the Healthy Homes Standards in Houghton Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.