Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know 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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Waitangirua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Waitangirua

Waitangirua rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Waitangirua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete 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 also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

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
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.