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 now have to ensure that their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete 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 any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified for 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three 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, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Houghton Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it may require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 – all 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

Rental property areas affected through 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 many concerns to check during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.