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 in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information 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 violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Island Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in 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 increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Island Bay

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

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Island Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and 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 water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there 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 tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.