Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed 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 landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Whitby, and research suggests that rental homes 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.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have 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 mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Whitby rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Whitby

Whitby rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Whitby

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Whitby

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 with the Healthy Homes Standards in Whitby include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.