Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? 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 must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate 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 any 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 fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Wainuiomata rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Wainuiomata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house need the sealing. For example, 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 that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wainuiomata

Rental properties in Wainuiomata must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Wainuiomata

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.