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 effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 completely conforming by the 1st July 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 check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Lyall Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Lyall Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving 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 lower temperatures in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Lyall Bay

Rental properties in Lyall Bay need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Lyall Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more 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 it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the 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 to The Healthy Homes Standard in Lyall Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.