Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Oriental Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 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 within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or 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 pocket with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Oriental Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Oriental Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Oriental Bay

Rental properties in Oriental Bay should have a permanent heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Oriental Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task for the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

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

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Oriental Bay

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Oriental Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• 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 an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.