Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Oriental 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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 associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Oriental Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about the Oriental Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Oriental Bay

Oriental Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that 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 heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Oriental Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Oriental Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standards in Oriental Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.