Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that 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 rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified for 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, 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 property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Lyall Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Lyall Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling 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 dropping temperatures within households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Lyall Bay

Lyall Bay rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Lyall Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Lyall Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.