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 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 the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties 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 check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess both 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 tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Island Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower 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, and Draught stopping for Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on 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 wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Island Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.