Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting a Island Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay need to have a stable heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Island Bay

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

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

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well 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 – the remainder 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Island Bay include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• 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 an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.