Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate both 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 items must be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request 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 provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Lyall Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Lyall Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Lyall Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Lyall Bay

Lyall Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Lyall Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.