Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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 from New Zealand and Waterloo, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Waterloo rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Waterloo rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current 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 under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waterloo

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Waterloo

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.