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 of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas 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 the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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 work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on 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?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Waiwhetu rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Waiwhetu rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss 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, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Waiwhetu

Rental properties in Waiwhetu must have a fixed heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

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

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

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Waiwhetu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiwhetu

Rental property areas affected with the 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 a variety of things to be able to examine during a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.