Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

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? Landlords must make sure their Waitangirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for 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 supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Waitangirua rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Waitangirua rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Waitangirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Waitangirua

Waitangirua rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waitangirua

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Waitangirua

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.