Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess both 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract 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 each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Lyall Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Start now and call about receiving a 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 homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Lyall Bay

Rental properties in Lyall Bay must have a fixed heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy for the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Lyall Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.