Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Lyall Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Lyall Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Lyall Bay

Rental properties in Lyall Bay need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented 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 in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Lyall Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• 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 review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.