Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

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 must ensure their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done 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?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Whitby, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Whitby rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Whitby rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Whitby Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Whitby

Rental properties in Whitby require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, 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 needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Whitby

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Whitby

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whitby

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.