Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Waitangirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required 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 breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

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

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Waitangirua rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Waitangirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Waitangirua

Rental properties in Waitangirua should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Waitangirua

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Waitangirua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waitangirua

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Waitangirua include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

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

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.