Healthy Homes Assessment Iona

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Iona rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

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

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Iona, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Iona rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Iona rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Iona Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Iona

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Iona

Iona rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Iona

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Iona

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• 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 quality.

Iona Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to 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

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Iona include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Iona for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.