Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

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 are now required to ensure that their Waitangirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Waitangirua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Waitangirua rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Waitangirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Waitangirua

Rental properties in Waitangirua should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it may require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Waitangirua

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waitangirua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waitangirua

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Waitangirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.