Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Wainuiomata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Wainuiomata rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Wainuiomata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Wainuiomata

Wainuiomata rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Wainuiomata

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wainuiomata

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Wainuiomata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.