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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket 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 house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Waterloo rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Waterloo rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Waterloo Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the living area to at minimum 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 well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Waterloo

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Waterloo

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

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

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space 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?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.