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? Landlords now have to ensure that their Iona rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Iona, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Iona rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Iona

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Iona

Iona rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Iona

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Iona

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand 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 rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Iona Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Iona

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Iona include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Iona for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.