Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to evaluate 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 contract is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the 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 a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Waterloo rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for 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 dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Waterloo

Rental properties in Waterloo need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested 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) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

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

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Waterloo

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.