Healthy Homes Assessment Lyall Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Lyall Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 about the tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Lyall Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 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 within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in 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 live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment 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?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Lyall Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Lyall Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Lyall Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Lyall Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lyall Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no 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 within the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Lyall Bay

Lyall Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Lyall Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop 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 thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Lyall Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Lyall Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

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 any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lyall Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Lyall Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lyall Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.