Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Oriental Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in 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 reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Oriental Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Oriental Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Oriental Bay

Oriental Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems 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 may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Oriental Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the household to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Oriental Bay

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.