Healthy Homes Assessment Waterloo

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Waterloo rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Waterloo, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Waterloo rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Waterloo rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waterloo

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Waterloo

Rental properties in Waterloo should have a permanent 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 minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it could need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waterloo

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waterloo

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waterloo Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when 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 present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. 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 many things to look over in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.