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 are now required to 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and 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 tasks that requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’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 any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Waterloo rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waterloo

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Waterloo

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.