Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

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 their Whitby 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 completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Whitby 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 period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate 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 being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Whitby rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Whitby rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A humid home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Whitby

Whitby rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Whitby

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Whitby

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whitby

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.