Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Wainuiomata rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Wainuiomata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Wainuiomata

Rental properties in Wainuiomata require a reliable heating source that can warm 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 that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Wainuiomata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task for the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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.

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wainuiomata

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Wainuiomata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

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

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.