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? Landlords must make sure that their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of 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 connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Wainuiomata rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Wainuiomata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all doors and windows as part of our 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 well-being houses

Heating Wainuiomata

Wainuiomata rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Wainuiomata

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.