Healthy Homes Assessment Waiohiki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Waiohiki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waiohiki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Waiohiki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Waiohiki, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Waiohiki rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Waiohiki rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Waiohiki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiohiki

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Waiohiki

Waiohiki rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waiohiki

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Waiohiki

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the 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; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiohiki

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Waiohiki include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiohiki for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.