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 now have to ensure that their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible 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 as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Waterloo rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Waterloo rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area 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 sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating 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 homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waterloo

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Waterloo

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the 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; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Waterloo include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples 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? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.