Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Waterloo 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply 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 Waterloo, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Waterloo rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Waterloo rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Waterloo

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task for 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 greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under 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 house assessment.