Healthy Homes Assessment Waipatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Waipatu 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs 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 fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to assess 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Waipatu, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Waipatu rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on 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 can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Waipatu

Waipatu rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waipatu

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waipatu

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Waipatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 with the Healthy Homes Standard in Waipatu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipatu for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.