Healthy Homes Assessment Waipatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Waipatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified 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 to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done 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 an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to note that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Waipatu, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Waipatu rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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 Waipatu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipatu

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements 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 to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waipatu

Waipatu rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the 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 for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waipatu

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waipatu

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Waipatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Waipatu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipatu for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.