Healthy Homes Assessment Bay View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Bay View rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Bay View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Bay View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households 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 tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Bay View rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bay View

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Bay View

Rental properties in Bay View require a reliable heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Bay View

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Bay View

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Bay View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Bay View

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Bay View include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bay View for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.