Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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 done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Island Bay, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Island Bay rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Island Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Island Bay

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

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Island Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, 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 decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 through the Healthy Homes Standards in Island Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.