Healthy Homes Assessment Waiwhetu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information needed 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 violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified for both 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 Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Waiwhetu rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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 Waiwhetu rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Waiwhetu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Waiwhetu

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

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Waiwhetu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier for the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Waiwhetu

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standards in Waiwhetu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.