Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay

Houghton Bay tenants and landlords can get their rental property peace of mind
Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Houghton 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 must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

We will evaluate 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 needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790
healthy homes assessment fines for non-compliance
Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Houghton Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on 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?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Houghton Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Houghton Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Houghton Bay rental properties.

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

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How Other People Rate Us

An excellent and thorough report! Much appreciated. I’ll definitely be recommending
Callum
This is a high quality service where they are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty. I was incredibly impressed by the speed and quality of the inspection and report.
Brendon
Fantastic service, really pleased with how thorough the report was - also impressed that it was able to be done at such short notice. A+
Daniel
When should I require to meet my Healthy Homes Standards?

Houghton Bay Healthy Homes Compliance Timeframes

Tenancies signed in the period between July 1st 2019 and 30 June 2021

  • Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement throughout Houghton Bay and New Zealand rental homes where it’s reasonably practicable to put in.
  • A Healthy Homes Statement of Intent to Comply An Insulation Statement as well as an Insurance Statement must be included with any renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement.
  • Property managers and landlords are required to keep records that prove the compliance with each Healthy Homes Standard that apply or will be in force to the rental property.

From July 1st 2021

  • Property managers and private landlords should make sure that their rental properties are in compliance according to Healthy Homes Standard within 90 days of any new, renewed or varied Tenancy.
  • All boarding homes (except Kainga Ora and registered Community Housing Provider for boarding household tenancies) must comply with the Healthy Homes Standard regardless of when the tenancy began.

From July 1st 2023

  • All homes which are rented from Kainga Ora (formerly Housing New Zealand) and registered Community Housing Providers must meet the Healthy Homes Standards regardless of when the tenancy began.

From July 1st 2024

  • All rentals houses must comply with the Healthy Homes Standards regardless of when the tenancy first began.
Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Houghton Bay

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Houghton Bay

Rental properties in Houghton Bay need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Houghton Bay

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

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A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Houghton Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Houghton Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

moisture ingress and drainage inspection
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Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Houghton Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Houghton Bay include each:

  • Living Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Dining Rooms
  • Bathrooms
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Houghton Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

  • Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
  • Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
  • Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
  • Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
  • Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.

home assessments for rental properties

Healthy Homes Assessment Houghton Bay Wellington 6023

Reasons People Choose Us
About Us &

What We Do

As building inspectors, we deal with all the aspects that come with expert house examinations. We are there to ensure you make the best decision when purchasing your next property.

We are serious about your investment We conduct detailed examinations to make sure that you don’t be faced with any costly or unexpected surprise costs, meaning you can relax and focus on the fun parts of owning or purchasing the home.

We specialise in a variety of solutions to make sure that you are completely informed of the condition of any property that you might be contemplating buying or selling as well as additional solutions.

We not only work with you , but we also work with big clients like local councils, banks and insurance firms. They seem to like the reassurance provided, by the data contained provided in our building inspection reports.

Our systematic approach to your property inspection and the latest in technology for software which includes digital photos in the report, you are able to actually see any issues that could be identified. With our comprehensive reporting it is no wonder we have so many clients who recommend our services to their family and acquaintances.

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  • Healthy Homes Assessments
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  • Handover Reports
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  • Mould Inspection
  • Dilapidation Reports
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