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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Oriental Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under 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 $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to 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 provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed 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 company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with 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 comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Oriental Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Get started now and contact us about the Oriental Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Oriental Bay

Oriental Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Oriental Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the household to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Oriental 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 ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

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

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Oriental Bay

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. 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 a variety of things to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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