Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be 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 for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of 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 Wainuiomata, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Wainuiomata rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Wainuiomata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Wainuiomata

Rental properties in Wainuiomata need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Wainuiomata

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier for the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• 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 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wainuiomata

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wainuiomata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.