Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Island Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Island Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Island Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A humid home 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 the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make the 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 required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Island Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy for the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.