Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified for each of 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 by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Wainuiomata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Wainuiomata rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Wainuiomata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps 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 from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine 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.

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Wainuiomata

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

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Wainuiomata

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task for the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wainuiomata

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Wainuiomata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

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

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.