Healthy Homes Assessment Pukerua Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Pukerua Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Pukerua Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Pukerua Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Pukerua Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Pukerua Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukerua Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Pukerua Bay

Rental properties in Pukerua Bay must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pukerua Bay

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Pukerua Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pukerua Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pukerua Bay

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Pukerua Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukerua Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.