Healthy Homes Assessment Waiwhetu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant 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 and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully 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 new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Waiwhetu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Waiwhetu rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Waiwhetu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Waiwhetu

Waiwhetu rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most 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 requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waiwhetu

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

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

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

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

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiwhetu

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Waiwhetu include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.