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 must make sure that their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 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 to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Lyall Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Get started now and contact us about getting a Lyall Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Lyall Bay

Lyall Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.