Healthy Homes Assessment Waiwhetu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Waiwhetu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for both 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 Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Waiwhetu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Waiwhetu, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Waiwhetu rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum 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 right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiwhetu

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waiwhetu

Waiwhetu rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waiwhetu

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waiwhetu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Waiwhetu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiwhetu

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Waiwhetu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiwhetu for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.