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 effective on July 1st, 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 new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

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?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Island Bay, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Island Bay rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay must have a fixed heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Island Bay

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard in Island Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.