Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the standard of Wainuiomata rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Wainuiomata rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Wainuiomata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

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

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Wainuiomata

Wainuiomata rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wainuiomata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wainuiomata

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Wainuiomata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.