Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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 work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Island Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be 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 an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Island Bay

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

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Island Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the household to hold warmth.

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 greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Island Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.