Healthy Homes Assessment Bay View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Bay View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Bay View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Bay View, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Bay View rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Bay View rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Bay View Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bay View

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Bay View

Bay View rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Bay View

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Bay View

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the 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 all of the 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 of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Bay View

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Bay View include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bay View for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.