Healthy Homes Assessment Bay View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Bay View rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Bay View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Bay View, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Bay View rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Bay View rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bay View

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Bay View

Bay View rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Bay View

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Bay View

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater 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 rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Bay View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Bay View

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Bay View include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bay View for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.