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? Landlords now have to ensure their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe 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.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Waiwhetu rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Start now and call about the Waiwhetu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Waiwhetu

Rental properties in Waiwhetu must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waiwhetu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water 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, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiwhetu

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Waiwhetu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.