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 effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 will evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard 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 due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs 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 stopping on Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Island Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

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

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.