Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified for 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Wainuiomata rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Wainuiomata rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Wainuiomata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Wainuiomata

Wainuiomata rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wainuiomata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor 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 also makes an easier task to the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wainuiomata

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wainuiomata include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.