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 July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 about any work which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to evaluate 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Island Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower 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, as well Draught stopping within Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Island Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full 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 Standards in Island Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.