Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

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 are now required to ensure that their Waitangirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct 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’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Waitangirua rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Waitangirua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Waitangirua

Rental properties in Waitangirua should have a permanent heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Waitangirua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 Standards in Waitangirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.