Healthy Homes Assessment Waipatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Waipatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to 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 can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to evaluate 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 new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Waipatu, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Waipatu rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Waipatu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipatu

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Waipatu

Waipatu rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the main or largest 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 health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waipatu

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Waipatu

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Waipatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipatu

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waipatu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipatu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.