Healthy Homes Assessment Waiwhetu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Waiwhetu 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 subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed 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 finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement 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 reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Waiwhetu rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Waiwhetu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Waiwhetu

Rental properties in Waiwhetu require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Waiwhetu

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about 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 the Healthy Homes Standard in Waiwhetu include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.