Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Waterloo rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Waterloo rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Waterloo

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

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Waterloo

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Waterloo

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the house to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Waterloo include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.