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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could 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 agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Waiwhetu rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Waiwhetu

Waiwhetu rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. 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 requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Waiwhetu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task for the house to keep heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.