Healthy Homes Assessment Days Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Days 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 are required to 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 will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required 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 landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Days Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Days Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Days Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Days Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Days Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Days Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Days Bay

Rental properties in Days Bay need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some 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 an air conditioner, it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Days Bay

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Days Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Days Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent 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 Days Bay

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Days Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Days Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.