Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st 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 whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done and provide the report with 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 breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to evaluate 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Island Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home costs 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 or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Island Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.