Healthy Homes Assessment Wairoa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Wairoa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must 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 will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the 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 Wairoa, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Wairoa rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Wairoa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Wairoa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wairoa

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable 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, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Wairoa

Wairoa rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Wairoa

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Wairoa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of 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

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

Wairoa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and 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 moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wairoa

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wairoa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.