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 a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

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

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Island Bay, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Island Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for 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 dropping temperatures within households. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it may require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Island Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standards 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 numerous concerns to look over in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.