Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed 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 is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Island Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Island Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Island Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during 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 requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Island Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier for the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• 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 floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

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

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.