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 are now required to make sure their Waitangirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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 connected fines.

We are completely 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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

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

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Waitangirua rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Waitangirua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Waitangirua

Waitangirua rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Waitangirua

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed 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 home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Waitangirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.