Healthy Homes Assessment Days Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Days Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Days Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Days Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Days Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about receiving a Days Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Days Bay

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Days Bay

Rental properties in Days Bay require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new 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 that you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This will help make your 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. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Days Bay

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Days Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Days Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the 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 with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Days Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Days Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.