Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Lyall 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 covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After 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 to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Lyall Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Lyall Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Lyall Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Lyall Bay

Lyall Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, 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 outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Lyall Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make it easier for the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Lyall Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.