Healthy Homes Assessment Whakatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Whakatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Whakatu, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Whakatu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Whakatu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whakatu

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Whakatu

Rental properties in Whakatu require a reliable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Whakatu

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Whakatu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to allow the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Whakatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whakatu

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whakatu for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.