Healthy Homes Assessment Pukerua Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Pukerua Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Pukerua Bay, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Pukerua Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Pukerua Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukerua Bay

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Pukerua Bay

Pukerua Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pukerua Bay

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Pukerua Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pukerua Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pukerua Bay

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pukerua Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukerua Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to 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 assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.