Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Island Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Island Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.