Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to evaluate both 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

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

It’s also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Lyall Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Lyall Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Lyall Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Lyall Bay

Lyall Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Lyall Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• 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 quality.

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.