Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Island Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Island Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Island Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Island Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

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

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Island Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home 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 on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.