Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Waitangirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Waitangirua rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Waitangirua rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Waitangirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be 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 from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Waitangirua

Waitangirua rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature 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 minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is 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 all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Waitangirua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to allow the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waitangirua

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standard in Waitangirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.