Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that 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 fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be 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 property, and are fully qualified to assess 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Oriental Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance 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 Draught-stopping in Oriental Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Oriental Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Oriental Bay

Rental properties in Oriental Bay should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need 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 in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Oriental Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the home to retain 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 the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure 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 not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Oriental Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.