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 make sure 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 must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 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 done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out 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 current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Island Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during 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), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable 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. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our 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 quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Island Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Rental property areas affected to the 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 check in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.