Healthy Homes Assessment Waiwhetu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified 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, if a 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, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major 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 physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about getting a Waiwhetu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements 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 within the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Waiwhetu

Rental properties in Waiwhetu need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Waiwhetu

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property 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 rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent 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

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Waiwhetu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.