Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Waitangirua 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Waitangirua rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Waitangirua rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Waitangirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waitangirua

Rental properties in Waitangirua must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Waitangirua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

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

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

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

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waitangirua

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Waitangirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.