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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a 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 adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an house assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Whitby, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Whitby rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Whitby rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Whitby

Whitby rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Whitby

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Whitby

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier for the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands 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 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standards in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.