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 a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information 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 will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Waitangirua rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Waitangirua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waitangirua

Waitangirua rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 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 wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Waitangirua

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing 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 Waitangirua

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.