Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Wainuiomata rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Wainuiomata rental properties.

Start now and call about the Wainuiomata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wainuiomata

Wainuiomata rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

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

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wainuiomata

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wainuiomata

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Wainuiomata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.