Healthy Homes Assessment Whakatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Whakatu 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 fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on 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 suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Whakatu rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Whakatu rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Whakatu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whakatu

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Whakatu

Whakatu rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Whakatu

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Whakatu

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Whakatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath 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 has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whakatu

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Whakatu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whakatu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.