Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Island Bay, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Island Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught 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 coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Island Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements 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 insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper 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 making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.