Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental 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 must ensure their Oriental 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 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 the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Oriental Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Oriental Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

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 may be required to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Oriental Bay

Oriental Bay rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Oriental Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy for the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Oriental 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 for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Oriental Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Oriental Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.