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? 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 rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Lyall Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is 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.

Contact us now to discuss the Lyall Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Lyall Bay

Rental properties in Lyall Bay should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the home to keep the heat.

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

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

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

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Lyall Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.