Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess 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 of the tasks which needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations 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 following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate both 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 or renewed contract is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Island Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay require a reliable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Island Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet 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 R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Property rental areas that are affected 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 numerous things to be able to examine in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• 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 on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.