Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed 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 important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Waterloo, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Waterloo rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about having a Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waterloo

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waterloo

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to allow the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 with the Healthy Homes Standard in Waterloo include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.