Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to evaluate both 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation 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?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Island Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Island Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Island Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Island Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be 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 getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

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

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Island Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.