Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed 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 who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own 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 meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Waterloo rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Waterloo rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent 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 mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waterloo

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Waterloo

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.