Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall 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 make sure their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified for 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Lyall Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control 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 increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Lyall Bay

Rental properties in Lyall Bay require a reliable source of heat that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Lyall Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.