Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must 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 assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations 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 conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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 work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding 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 being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect 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 name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Whitby, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Whitby rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on 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 are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Whitby

Rental properties in Whitby need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Whitby

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Whitby

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whitby

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.