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 make sure that their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the details required 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 any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Waiwhetu rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Waiwhetu

Rental properties in Waiwhetu must have a fixed heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Waiwhetu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the home to keep the 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 insulation can withstand 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 North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

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

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiwhetu

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Waiwhetu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.