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 of July 2021? 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 new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements 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 in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done 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 So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Pukerua Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Pukerua Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance 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 for Pukerua Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Pukerua Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukerua Bay

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Pukerua Bay

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

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it may require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pukerua Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Pukerua Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

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

Pukerua Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove 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 structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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 with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pukerua Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukerua Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.