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 ensure that their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess each of 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Island Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Start now and call about the 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 homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Island Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Island Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.