Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Waterloo rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess each of 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 work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Waterloo rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping within 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 households. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Waterloo

Rental properties in Waterloo need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waterloo

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Waterloo

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor 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 dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waterloo for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.