Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Island Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the home to retain 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 resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient 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 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Island Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.