Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Waitangirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, 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 wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Waitangirua rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Waitangirua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Waitangirua

Waitangirua rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter 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 source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Waitangirua

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Waitangirua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the household to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waitangirua

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Waitangirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.