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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information 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 landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Waterloo rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

Begin now by calling about the Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Waterloo

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

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent 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 like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waterloo

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Waterloo

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

Check out the complete details of 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; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.