Healthy Homes Assessment Pukerua Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Pukerua Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Pukerua Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of 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 in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Pukerua Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Pukerua Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. 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 standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Pukerua Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Pukerua Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pukerua Bay

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pukerua Bay

Pukerua Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Pukerua Bay

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Pukerua Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Pukerua Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and 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 moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 through the Healthy Homes Standard in Pukerua Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pukerua Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.