Healthy Homes Assessment Iona

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Iona 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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 items must be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Iona, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Iona rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Iona rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Iona Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Iona

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Iona

Rental properties in Iona require a reliable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy 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 and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Iona

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

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. The 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 high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Iona

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Iona Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing 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 Iona

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard 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 myriad of concerns you should look for during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.