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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

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 items have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an 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 is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Island Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Island Bay

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Island Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.