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 ensure their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to assess both 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Waiwhetu rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Waiwhetu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waiwhetu

Rental properties in Waiwhetu should have a permanent heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 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 requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Waiwhetu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 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 sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to the household to hold 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 can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your 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

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Waiwhetu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.