Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Waterloo rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Waterloo rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waterloo

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Waterloo

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 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 water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standards. 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 to check when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.