Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 are required to be fully 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 assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in 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 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current 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.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Houghton Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are 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.

Begin now by calling about the Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it may need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.