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? Landlords must make sure that their Wainuiomata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to assess each of 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 on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Wainuiomata, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Wainuiomata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about the 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, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Wainuiomata

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

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Wainuiomata

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier for the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements 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 can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wainuiomata

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wainuiomata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.