Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Waterloo rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Waterloo rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Waterloo

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of 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 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 the Healthy Homes Standard in Waterloo include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.