Healthy Homes Assessment Wairoa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Wairoa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Wairoa, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Wairoa rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Wairoa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wairoa

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wairoa

Rental properties in Wairoa require a reliable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Wairoa

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Wairoa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Wairoa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wairoa

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Wairoa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wairoa for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.