Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to assess 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Lyall Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

Start now and call about the Lyall Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Lyall Bay

Lyall Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy 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 all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation 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 home is an ideal house

Insulation Lyall Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

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

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 standard.

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standard in Lyall Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.