Healthy Homes Assessment Days Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Days Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Days Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Days Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

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

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Days Bay, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Days Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Days Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Days Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Days Bay

Days Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Days Bay

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Days Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make more easy for the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Days Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Days Bay

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Days Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.