Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done, and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified for 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living 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 letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person 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 needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Wainuiomata rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better 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 listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Wainuiomata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Wainuiomata

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

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wainuiomata

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wainuiomata

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.