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 rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one 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 accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Waterloo rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Waterloo

Rental properties in Waterloo need to have a stable heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waterloo

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Waterloo

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to the household to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. 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 numerous things to check during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.