Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could 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 completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Houghton Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Houghton Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Houghton Bay

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

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient 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 to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Houghton Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.