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 of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to 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 of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $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 bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Waterloo, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Waterloo rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Waterloo

Rental properties in Waterloo must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Waterloo

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making more easy for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

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

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.