Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to evaluate 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 need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Island Bay

Island Bay rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Island Bay

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

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

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Island Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task for the house to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of 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
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.