Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Wainuiomata rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Wainuiomata rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Wainuiomata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Wainuiomata

Wainuiomata rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require 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 safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Wainuiomata

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 below floor 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; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Wainuiomata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.