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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Pukerua Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 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 determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end 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 taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

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

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

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Pukerua Bay, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Pukerua Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Pukerua Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Pukerua Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukerua Bay

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Pukerua Bay

Pukerua Bay rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pukerua Bay

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Pukerua Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pukerua Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Pukerua Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pukerua Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukerua Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.