Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Island Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on 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 well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out 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 with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Island Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Check out the complete details of 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 is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard 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 a variety of concerns to check in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.