Healthy Homes Assessment Pukerua Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Pukerua 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 completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate 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 any tasks that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

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

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Pukerua Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Pukerua Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and 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 lower temperatures in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and 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 crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. 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 isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Pukerua Bay

Rental properties in Pukerua Bay should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most 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 outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pukerua Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Pukerua Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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

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

Pukerua Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 the Healthy Homes Standard in Pukerua Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukerua Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.