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 ensure 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 are required to be completely certified by 1 July 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Waitangirua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for 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 are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Waitangirua

Rental properties in Waitangirua should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Waitangirua

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Waitangirua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard in Waitangirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.