Healthy Homes Assessment Waiwhetu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 certified by 1 July 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 requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in 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 up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Waiwhetu rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Waiwhetu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Waiwhetu

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

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

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

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Waiwhetu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

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
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.