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? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Waiwhetu rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Waiwhetu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waiwhetu

Rental properties in Waiwhetu need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Waiwhetu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

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

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 to The Healthy Homes Standards in Waiwhetu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space 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 draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.