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 now have to make sure that their Waipatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Waipatu, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Waipatu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipatu

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waipatu

Waipatu rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the 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) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waipatu

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Waipatu

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the home to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waipatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Waipatu

Property rental areas that are affected with 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 you should look for during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.