Healthy Homes Assessment Waiwhetu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Waiwhetu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less 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, and Draught Control in Waiwhetu rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Waiwhetu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Waiwhetu

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

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it may require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Waiwhetu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. 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

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waiwhetu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.