Healthy Homes Assessment Waiwhetu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more 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 meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Waiwhetu rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Waiwhetu rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Waiwhetu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that 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 household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Waiwhetu

Rental properties in Waiwhetu must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed 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 portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Waiwhetu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiwhetu

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Waiwhetu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.