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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re 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

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

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Waterloo rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Waterloo rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Waterloo

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The 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 by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, 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 a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.