Healthy Homes Assessment Pukerua Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Pukerua Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Pukerua Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Pukerua Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over 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 Draught-stopping on Pukerua Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukerua Bay

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Pukerua Bay

Rental properties in Pukerua Bay need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Pukerua Bay

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Pukerua Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements 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 is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pukerua Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically 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 home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Pukerua Bay

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukerua Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.