Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within 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 incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Wainuiomata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Wainuiomata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught 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 can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Wainuiomata

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

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wainuiomata

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wainuiomata

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Wainuiomata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient 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 an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.