Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Waitangirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Waitangirua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Waitangirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Waitangirua

Rental properties in Waitangirua must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not 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 be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our 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.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Waitangirua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.