Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Waterloo rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Waterloo rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waterloo

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Waterloo

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Waterloo include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.