Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to evaluate 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Waterloo rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Waterloo rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Waterloo

Rental properties in Waterloo must have a fixed heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Waterloo

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the household to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 Waterloo

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.