Healthy Homes Assessment Waiwhetu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties 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 can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified for 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home inspection 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?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Waiwhetu rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Waiwhetu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Waiwhetu

Rental properties in Waiwhetu require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waiwhetu

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well 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 remainder area of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiwhetu

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Waiwhetu include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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