Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that 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 must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with 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 $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Waterloo rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Waterloo

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.