Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of 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 tenancy is signed for a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Wainuiomata rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on 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 may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow 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 examine every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Wainuiomata

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

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Wainuiomata

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, 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 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; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Wainuiomata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.