Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and 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 any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

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

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

What are the most 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, then it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not 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.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the 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 and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The 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 in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Island Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

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 Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.