Healthy Homes Assessment Haumoana

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 ensure their Haumoana rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are 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 requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’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 who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Haumoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance 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.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Haumoana, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Haumoana rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for 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, and Draught Control in Haumoana rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haumoana

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty 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 that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect 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.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Haumoana

Haumoana rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Haumoana

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Haumoana

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Haumoana Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is 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 typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haumoana

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haumoana for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.