Healthy Homes Assessment Iona

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Iona rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order 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 the tasks that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Iona, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Iona rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Iona rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Iona Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Iona

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Iona

Iona rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Iona

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Iona

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values 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 greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Iona Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Iona include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Iona for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.