Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new 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 can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on 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 Wainuiomata, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Wainuiomata rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Wainuiomata rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Wainuiomata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Wainuiomata

Wainuiomata rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with 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 air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Wainuiomata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wainuiomata

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Wainuiomata include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during the house assessment to see 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 waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.