Healthy Homes Assessment Pukerua Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Pukerua Bay 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 must be completely 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 and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person 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 needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment done on 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 from New Zealand and Pukerua Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Pukerua Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Pukerua Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about the Pukerua Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukerua Bay

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Pukerua Bay

Pukerua Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pukerua Bay

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Pukerua Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the household to hold the heat.

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 is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pukerua Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Pukerua Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Pukerua Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukerua Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.