Healthy Homes Assessment Waitangirua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. 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 in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Waitangirua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Waitangirua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Waitangirua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Waitangirua

Waitangirua rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Waitangirua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Waitangirua

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Waitangirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.