Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Island Bay rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Island Bay rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Island Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Island Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to allow the household to hold heat.

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

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

• 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

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 Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• 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 an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.