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 July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Waitangirua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Waitangirua, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Waitangirua rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Waitangirua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waitangirua

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Waitangirua

Waitangirua rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waitangirua

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Waitangirua

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making more easy for the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Waitangirua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier 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.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waitangirua

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waitangirua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waitangirua for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.