Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes 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 violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Whitby, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Whitby rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Whitby rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Whitby Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Whitby

Whitby rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Whitby

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Whitby

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the home to hold warmth.

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 is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your 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 Whitby

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Whitby include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.