Healthy Homes Assessment Waiwhetu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Waiwhetu 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Waiwhetu rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Waiwhetu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Waiwhetu

Waiwhetu rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Waiwhetu

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy for the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher 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 rest area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiwhetu

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Waiwhetu include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.