Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely certified 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 determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided 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 lease contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Whitby, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Whitby rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Whitby rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Whitby Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Whitby

Rental properties in Whitby need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require 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 safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Whitby

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Whitby

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering 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 Whitby

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.