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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Houghton 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 completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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 healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Houghton Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Houghton Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Houghton Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier for the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate 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 that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.