Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Waitangirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess 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 the tasks that requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to evaluate 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 items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Waitangirua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Waitangirua rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having 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 draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waitangirua

Rental properties in Waitangirua require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

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

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Waitangirua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to keep 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 the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waitangirua

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Waitangirua include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.