Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully 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 to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified for each of 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Wainuiomata rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Wainuiomata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wainuiomata

Wainuiomata rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors 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 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wainuiomata

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wainuiomata

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Wainuiomata include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.