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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Island Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy for the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.