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 in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required 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 are required to be completely compliant by 1 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. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Houghton Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Houghton Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Houghton Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the 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 to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.