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 now have to ensure their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for 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 following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess both 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 work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in 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 landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down 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.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Waterloo rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Waterloo

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Waterloo

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to allow the household to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.