Healthy Homes Assessment Waiohiki

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 their Waiohiki 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 completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waiohiki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Waiohiki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also 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 at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Waiohiki, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Waiohiki rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Waiohiki rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Waiohiki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiohiki

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Waiohiki

Waiohiki rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 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 could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waiohiki

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation 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 warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Waiohiki

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waiohiki 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 to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing 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 Waiohiki

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Waiohiki include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiohiki for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.