Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Island Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Island Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. 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 heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Island Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 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 floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.