Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done 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 under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, 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

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Lyall Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for 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 may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

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

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Lyall Bay

Rental properties in Lyall Bay require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Lyall Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (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 dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Lyall Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.