Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess both 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 must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Houghton Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for 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 may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Houghton Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make more easy for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.