Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as 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 home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Whitby, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Whitby rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for 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 may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack 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 let air into or out into the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Whitby

Rental properties in Whitby require a reliable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Whitby

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Whitby

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whitby

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Whitby include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.