Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall 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 ensure their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Lyall Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Lyall Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

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

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Lyall Bay

Lyall Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Lyall Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Lyall Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.