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 now have to make sure that their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied 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 by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Wainuiomata rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Wainuiomata

Rental properties in Wainuiomata should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wainuiomata

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the 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 moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Wainuiomata include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.