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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 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 check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in 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 $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on 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 from New Zealand and Waterloo, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Waterloo rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Waterloo rental properties.

Start now and call about the Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Waterloo

Rental properties in Waterloo need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Waterloo

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Waterloo

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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 Healthy Homes Standards. 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 many concerns to be able to examine in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• 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 the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.