Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Waitangirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any 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, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Waitangirua rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Waitangirua rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Waitangirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Waitangirua

Rental properties in Waitangirua require a reliable heating source that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Waitangirua

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor 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 it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waitangirua

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Waitangirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.