Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to evaluate both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Wainuiomata rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Wainuiomata rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Wainuiomata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Wainuiomata

Wainuiomata rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough 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 comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Wainuiomata

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy for the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand 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 remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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 water damage isn’t only about the inside 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 inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wainuiomata

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wainuiomata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.