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? Landlords now have to ensure their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to assess each of 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Wainuiomata rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Wainuiomata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Wainuiomata

Wainuiomata rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Wainuiomata

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Wainuiomata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

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