Healthy Homes Assessment Iona

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 are now required to make sure their Iona 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 fully 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Iona, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less 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 like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Iona rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Iona rental properties.

Start now and call about the Iona Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Iona

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting 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 unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Iona

Rental properties in Iona must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 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 heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Iona

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Iona

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher 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 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Iona Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Iona

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Iona include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Iona for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.