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

The subjects covered in 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Island Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Island Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about the Island Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Island Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.