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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other 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 and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Whitby, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Whitby rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Whitby rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Whitby

Rental properties in Whitby require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Whitby

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Whitby

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the house to retain the heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whitby

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences 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 owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.