Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Houghton Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about the Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Houghton Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.