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 July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done and offer the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Island Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Island Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Island Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Island Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 by The Healthy Homes Standards in Island Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.