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 must ensure that their Bay View rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any 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 can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 of rental properties and are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Bay View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Bay View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Bay View, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Bay View rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Bay View rental properties.

Start now and call about the Bay View Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bay View

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Bay View

Rental properties in Bay View should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements 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 check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Bay View

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Bay View

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to allow the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Bay View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental 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 typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Bay View

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Bay View include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bay View for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.