Healthy Homes Assessment Iona

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The 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 subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Iona, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Iona rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded 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, and Draught-stopping within Iona rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving 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 cold house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Iona

Iona rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Iona

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Iona

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Iona Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Iona

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standards in Iona include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Iona for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.