Healthy Homes Assessment Iona

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Iona rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end 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 is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Iona, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Iona rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Start now and call about having a Iona Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Iona

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Iona

Rental properties in Iona must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient 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 aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Iona

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Iona

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Iona Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Iona

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Iona include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Iona for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.