Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall 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 ensure their Lyall 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required 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 landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Lyall Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Lyall Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Lyall Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Lyall Bay

Rental properties in Lyall Bay must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings 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 need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable 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 warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Lyall Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

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

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Lyall Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.