Healthy Homes Assessment Waiwhetu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

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

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation 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 rent homes in New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Waiwhetu rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control within Waiwhetu rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Waiwhetu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Waiwhetu

Waiwhetu rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Waiwhetu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiwhetu

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waiwhetu include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

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

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.