Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the standard of Waterloo rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Waterloo rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Waterloo

Rental properties in Waterloo need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter 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 heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area 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. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waterloo

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making more easy for the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire 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 the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

Rental property areas affected by 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 numerous things to be able to examine during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.