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? Landlords must make sure that their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant 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 and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract 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 also important to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Wainuiomata rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Wainuiomata

Wainuiomata rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Wainuiomata

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

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wainuiomata

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wainuiomata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.