Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Island 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 subjects covered in 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. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate both 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Island Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Island Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Island Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to allow the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, 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 floor 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.