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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

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 completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can 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 required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for 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 in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Island Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Island Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure 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 – all part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard 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 myriad of things you should look for during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.