Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified for 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 for a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Lyall Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Lyall Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Lyall Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Lyall Bay

Rental properties in Lyall Bay must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, 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 current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Lyall Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.