Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

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

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Waterloo rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Waterloo rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Waterloo

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 to the Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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