Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with 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 done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Whitby, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Whitby rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Whitby rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Whitby Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

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

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Whitby

Whitby rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Whitby

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Whitby

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if 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 present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.