Healthy Homes Assessment Wairoa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Wairoa 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to assess both 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 Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out which 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 before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment 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 the property in New Zealand and Wairoa, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the standard of Wairoa rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Wairoa rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Wairoa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wairoa

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Wairoa

Wairoa rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need 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 for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wairoa

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Wairoa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wairoa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wairoa

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wairoa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting the home evaluation to determine if 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 protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.