Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to evaluate each of 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 work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Lyall Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Lyall Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Lyall Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Lyall Bay

Rental properties in Lyall Bay must have a fixed heating source that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Lyall Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.