Healthy Homes Assessment Bay View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements 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 meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be 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 is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Bay View, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Bay View rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for 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, as well Draught stopping for Bay View rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Bay View Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bay View

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Bay View

Rental properties in Bay View require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Bay View

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Bay View

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with 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 more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Bay View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Bay View include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bay View for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough 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 an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.