Healthy Homes Assessment Whakatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Whakatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required 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 in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Whakatu, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Whakatu rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured 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 requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Whakatu rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Whakatu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whakatu

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Whakatu

Rental properties in Whakatu need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Whakatu

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Whakatu

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Whakatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whakatu

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Whakatu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whakatu for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.