Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Waitangirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess 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 the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

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 Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Waitangirua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Begin now by calling about having a Waitangirua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Waitangirua

Rental properties in Waitangirua need to have a stable heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on 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 heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This 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.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Waitangirua

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

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

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waitangirua

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Waitangirua include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.