Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea 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 a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a 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 contract as the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most 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 meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Waterloo rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Waterloo rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Waterloo

Waterloo rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waterloo

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waterloo

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Waterloo include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.