Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as 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

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Island Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on 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 increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

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

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Island Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

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

See the full 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 to the Healthy Homes Standards in Island Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.