Healthy Homes Assessment Waipawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and offer a 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 breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waipawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Waipawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Waipawa, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Waipawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning 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 Draught Stopping within Waipawa rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Waipawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipawa

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Waipawa

Waipawa rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waipawa

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waipawa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waipawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps 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 Waipawa

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standard in Waipawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipawa for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.