Healthy Homes Assessment Whitby

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Whitby rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Whitby, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Whitby rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Whitby rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Whitby Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whitby

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Whitby

Whitby rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Whitby

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Whitby

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist 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 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Whitby Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Whitby

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standard in Whitby include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whitby for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.