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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Bay View rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to assess 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Bay View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Bay View rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Bay View, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Bay View rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Bay View Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Bay View

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy 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 area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. 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 heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will 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 needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Bay View

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Bay View

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Bay View Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Bay View

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Bay View for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.