Healthy Homes Assessment Waipatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Waipatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Waipatu, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Waipatu rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Waipatu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipatu

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Waipatu

Waipatu rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain 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 in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the permanent 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 like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waipatu

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

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 air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Waipatu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Waipatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipatu

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Waipatu include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipatu for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.