Healthy Homes Assessment Waiwhetu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess both 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 items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Waiwhetu rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Waiwhetu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Waiwhetu

Waiwhetu rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces 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 standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Waiwhetu

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets the 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 lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of 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 also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waiwhetu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during the house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.