Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to 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 rentals must be fully compliant 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 whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Lyall Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Lyall Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Lyall Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Lyall Bay

Rental properties in Lyall Bay need to have a stable source of heat which 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 suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

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

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent 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

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Lyall Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house 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 falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.