Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are 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 will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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 relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate 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 being the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Wainuiomata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Wainuiomata rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Wainuiomata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wainuiomata

Rental properties in Wainuiomata need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Wainuiomata

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details 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 but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wainuiomata

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• 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 an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.