Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done, and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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 associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Wainuiomata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wainuiomata

Rental properties in Wainuiomata need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Wainuiomata

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the household to keep the heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

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

Learn more about the 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 by The Healthy Homes Standards in Wainuiomata include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.