Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Island Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Island Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of 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?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.