Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the 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 from New Zealand and Whitby, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Whitby rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for 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 increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Whitby

Rental properties in Whitby must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Whitby

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. 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.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Whitby

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the house to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

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

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whitby

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.