Healthy Homes Assessment Waipatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Waipatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate both 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 tenancy is signed on a Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Waipatu, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Waipatu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Waipatu rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Waipatu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipatu

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the 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 well-being homes

Heating Waipatu

Waipatu rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the 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) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waipatu

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Waipatu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to allow the house to keep warmth.

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

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 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Waipatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient 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 also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipatu

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Waipatu include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipatu for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.