Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals 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 can evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Whitby, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Whitby rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Whitby rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Whitby

Rental properties in Whitby should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Whitby

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that 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 rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Whitby

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 to the Healthy Homes Standard in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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