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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Lyall Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Lyall Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss 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 homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Lyall Bay

Rental properties in Lyall Bay should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

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

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.