Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for each of 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

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

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

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

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Whitby, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Whitby rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Whitby rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Whitby Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Whitby

Rental properties in Whitby require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Whitby

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Whitby

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes it easier for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands 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 area of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whitby

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.