Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Wainuiomata rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Wainuiomata rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Wainuiomata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wainuiomata

Rental properties in Wainuiomata should have a permanent heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

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

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Wainuiomata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Wainuiomata

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.