Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Waterloo, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Waterloo rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Waterloo rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Waterloo

Rental properties in Waterloo must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, 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 open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Waterloo

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the household to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Waterloo include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.