Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements 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 $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Whitby, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Whitby rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance 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, as well as Draught Control in Whitby rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Whitby

Rental properties in Whitby must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Whitby

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Whitby

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whitby

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

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

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.