Healthy Homes Assessment Waipawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Waipawa 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 must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Waipawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waipawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Waipawa, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Waipawa rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Waipawa rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Waipawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipawa

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small 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 are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Waipawa

Waipawa rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waipawa

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan 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 Waipawa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waipawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

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

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipawa

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waipawa include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipawa for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions 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 could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.