Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Whitby, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Whitby rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , 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 and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control in Whitby rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Whitby Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that 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 from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Whitby

Whitby rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating 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 fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Whitby

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Whitby

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whitby

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.