Healthy Homes Assessment Iona

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 ensure their Iona rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Iona, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Iona rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Iona rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Iona Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Iona

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Iona

Iona rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Iona

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. 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 in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Iona

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements 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 greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Iona Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Iona

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Iona include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Iona for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.