Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Waterloo rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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 within Waterloo rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a 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 cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Waterloo

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waterloo 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 rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Waterloo

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.