Healthy Homes Assessment Waipawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Waipawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must 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 assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Waipawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Waipawa, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Waipawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Waipawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipawa

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waipawa

Waipawa rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed 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 acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Waipawa

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Waipawa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waipawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipawa

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waipawa include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipawa for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a 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 evaluation.