Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton 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? Landlords must make sure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Houghton Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Houghton Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances 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 heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier for the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. 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 Houghton Bay

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.