Healthy Homes Assessment Haumoana

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Haumoana rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Haumoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Haumoana, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Haumoana rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Haumoana rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Haumoana Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haumoana

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Haumoana

Rental properties in Haumoana need to have a stable heating source that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in 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 check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Haumoana

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Haumoana

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task for the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Haumoana 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 but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haumoana

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haumoana for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful 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 professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.