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 are now required to make sure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. 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 shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Island Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Island Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Island Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest 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 heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Island Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

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 is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This 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 an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Property rental areas that are affected by 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 many things you should look for during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.