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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Waitangirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 of the work which requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any 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 leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Waitangirua rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Waitangirua

Waitangirua rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Waitangirua

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Waitangirua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this 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 with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Waitangirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.