Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified for 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named 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 at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply 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 rent the property in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Waterloo rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of 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 list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Waterloo rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Waterloo

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

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Waterloo

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making it easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements 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 the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but 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 is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.