Healthy Homes Assessment Wainuiomata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Wainuiomata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Wainuiomata rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Wainuiomata rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Wainuiomata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wainuiomata

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

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 likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Wainuiomata

Wainuiomata rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wainuiomata

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Wainuiomata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wainuiomata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wainuiomata for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.