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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Waterloo rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Waterloo

Rental properties in Waterloo need to have a stable heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Waterloo

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

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

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Waterloo

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waterloo include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.