Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent 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.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Lyall Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Lyall Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Lyall Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Lyall Bay

Lyall Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier for the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that 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 the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Lyall Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.