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 effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for each of 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Lyall Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Lyall Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Lyall Bay

Lyall Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Lyall Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Lyall Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.