Healthy Homes Assessment Bay View

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The 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 must be completely conforming by the 1st 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 to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Bay View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may 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 is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a 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 are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Bay View, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Bay View rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bay View

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Bay View

Bay View rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Bay View

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The 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 this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Bay View

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Bay View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Bay View include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bay View for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.