Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks 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 to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Waterloo rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Waterloo rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Waterloo

Rental properties in Waterloo should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waterloo

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is 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 mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Waterloo

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the 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 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the 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 but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent 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 Waterloo

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Waterloo include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.