Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 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 standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Lyall Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means 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, and Draught Control on Lyall Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Lyall Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Lyall Bay

Lyall Bay rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central 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 comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Lyall Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the 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 Lyall Bay

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Lyall Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the 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 sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.