Healthy Homes Assessment Waipatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Waipatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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 healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Waipatu, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Waipatu rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means 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 Waipatu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipatu

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Waipatu

Rental properties in Waipatu must have a fixed heating source that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Waipatu

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Waipatu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• 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.

Waipatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipatu

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Waipatu include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipatu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.