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 any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed 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 landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding 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 supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out 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 requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Whitby, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Whitby rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of 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, and Draught-stopping on Whitby rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Whitby

Whitby rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Whitby

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Whitby

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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, 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 dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps 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 to The Healthy Homes Standard in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.