Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Island Bay rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Island Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay require a reliable source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 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 health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Island Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the 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

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.