Healthy Homes Assessment Island Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Island Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed 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 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 healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to assess 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Island Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as 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 throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Island Bay, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Island Bay rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Island Bay rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Island Bay

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Island Bay

Rental properties in Island Bay require a reliable source of heating that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 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 and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Island Bay

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Island Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require 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 more easy to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Island Bay Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Island Bay

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Island Bay include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Island Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.