Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully 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

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Island Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about 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 homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 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 and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are 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, but remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Island Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of 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 more effective the insulation.

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

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

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.