Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental 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 must make sure their Oriental Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Oriental Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Oriental Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Oriental Bay

Rental properties in Oriental Bay require a reliable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Oriental Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Oriental Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Oriental Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.