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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Iona rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out 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 accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation 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?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Iona, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Iona rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards 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 low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Iona

Iona rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 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 health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Iona

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Iona

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

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

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Iona Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Iona include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Iona for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.