Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Houghton Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Houghton Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Houghton Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Houghton Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.