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 now have to make sure 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to evaluate 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 tenancy is signed for a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, 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 fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Waitangirua rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Waitangirua rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Waitangirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Waitangirua

Rental properties in Waitangirua need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Waitangirua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental 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 some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands 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 rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must 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 concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. 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 standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waitangirua

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Waitangirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.