Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Houghton 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 are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 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 to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Houghton Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Houghton Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and 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 the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.