Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? 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 rentals must be completely 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to evaluate each of 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of 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 pocket with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Lyall Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs 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.

Get started now and contact us about getting a 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 homes. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Lyall Bay

Lyall Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater 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 area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, 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 usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Lyall Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.