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 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 are required to 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 assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply 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 is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Island Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about getting a Island Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Island Bay

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

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Island Bay

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.