Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out and 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 current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Waitangirua rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Waitangirua rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Waitangirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Waitangirua

Rental properties in Waitangirua require a reliable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the 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 airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Waitangirua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waitangirua

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Waitangirua include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.