Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Island Bay rental properties.

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

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

Insulation Island Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand 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 part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

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 getting into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

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

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

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.