Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person 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 current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Island Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew 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, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in 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 less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy 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 a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Island Bay

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Island Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the 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 through The Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine 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 waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.