Healthy Homes Assessment Iona

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Iona, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Iona rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Iona

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Iona

Rental properties in Iona require a reliable source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Iona

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Iona

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Iona Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

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

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Iona

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Iona include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Iona for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.