Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified 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 tenancy is signed on a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Waitangirua rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Waitangirua rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the 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 home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Waitangirua

Waitangirua rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors 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), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Waitangirua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of the 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 the Healthy Homes Standard in Waitangirua include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.