Healthy Homes Assessment Waiwhetu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 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 are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Waiwhetu rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about the 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 homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Waiwhetu

Rental properties in Waiwhetu need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make 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 needed. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waiwhetu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiwhetu

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Waiwhetu include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.