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? Landlords now have to make sure their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to evaluate 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could 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 building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Waiwhetu rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Waiwhetu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Waiwhetu

Rental properties in Waiwhetu require a reliable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Waiwhetu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiwhetu

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waiwhetu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.