Healthy Homes Assessment Haumoana

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Haumoana rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified 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 assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Haumoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Haumoana, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Haumoana rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Haumoana rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Haumoana Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haumoana

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Haumoana

Haumoana rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Haumoana

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment 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. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Haumoana

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the household to retain warmth.

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

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

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

Haumoana Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haumoana

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haumoana for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.