Healthy Homes Assessment Iona

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Iona rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 will assess 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 of any work that requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

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

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Iona, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Iona rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for 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 can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Iona

Rental properties in Iona must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Iona

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Iona

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Iona Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Iona

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standards in Iona include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Iona for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.