Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Waitangirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for 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

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

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Waitangirua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Waitangirua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Waitangirua

Rental properties in Waitangirua need to have a stable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Waitangirua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy for the house to retain 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 measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective 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 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waitangirua

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Waitangirua include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.