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 July 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 rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand 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 comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Island Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less 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, as well Draught-stopping in Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards 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 comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Island Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Island Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes 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 Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.