Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed 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 under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Whitby, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Whitby rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Whitby rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Whitby Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Whitby

Whitby rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed 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 aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Whitby

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Whitby

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make it easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whitby

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.