Healthy Homes Assessment Oriental Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Oriental Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on an Oriental Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Oriental Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Oriental Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Oriental Bay

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Oriental Bay

Oriental Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Oriental Bay

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Oriental Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Oriental Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also assists 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 with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Oriental Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Oriental Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.