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 that their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must 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 assess your rental property 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 about any tasks which needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Island Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Island Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. 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 with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Island Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. 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 property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure 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’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.