Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Houghton Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Houghton Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Houghton Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors 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 minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Houghton Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to allow the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

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

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

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 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 Houghton Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Houghton Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with 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 the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.