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 July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 check 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 which requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as 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 contract is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Whitby, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Whitby rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Whitby rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Whitby

Whitby rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors 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) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Whitby

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Whitby

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure 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 subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

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

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 through The Healthy Homes Standards in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.