Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 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 check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified for each of 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Wainuiomata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Wainuiomata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Wainuiomata

Rental properties in Wainuiomata need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Wainuiomata

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the 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 to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wainuiomata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.