Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over 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 for Island Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the 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 houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block 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 when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay should have a permanent heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Island Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.