Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Oriental Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the 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 evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Oriental Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Oriental Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Oriental Bay

Oriental Bay rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Oriental Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier for the household to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

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

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 Standard in Oriental Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.