Healthy Homes Assessment Waiwhetu

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 must make sure their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to 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 is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Waiwhetu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Waiwhetu rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Waiwhetu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Waiwhetu

Rental properties in Waiwhetu must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Waiwhetu

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete 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 by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Waiwhetu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.