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 July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Iona rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the 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 indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Iona rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Iona rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Iona

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Iona

Iona rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Iona

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a property that is well 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. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Iona

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the household 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 the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Iona Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Iona for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.