Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are 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

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Waterloo, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Waterloo rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about the Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Waterloo

Rental properties in Waterloo must have a fixed heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable 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 a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.