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 now have to ensure that their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to assess 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised 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 the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Waiwhetu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Waiwhetu rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Waiwhetu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Waiwhetu

Waiwhetu rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Waiwhetu

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the household to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire 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

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. 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 affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including 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 structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from 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 quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiwhetu

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standards in Waiwhetu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.