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 of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes 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 violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

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

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Island Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Island Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able of opening 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 every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Island Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

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

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.