Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined 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 wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Lyall Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and 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 can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

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 and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Lyall Bay

Rental properties in Lyall Bay should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended 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 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

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

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Lyall Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.