Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Whitby rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

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

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Whitby, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Whitby rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Whitby rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Whitby Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Heating Whitby

Rental properties in Whitby must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Whitby

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

Insulation Whitby

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier for the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location 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 an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Whitby

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Whitby include each:

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

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.