Healthy Homes Assessment Waipukurau

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Waipukurau rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done, and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waipukurau rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waipukurau rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet 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 now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Waipukurau, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Waipukurau rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Waipukurau rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Waipukurau Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipukurau

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Waipukurau

Rental properties in Waipukurau should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waipukurau

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Waipukurau

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

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

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waipukurau Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Waipukurau

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Waipukurau include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipukurau for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.