Healthy Homes Assessment Waipukurau

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Waipukurau rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 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 determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for each of 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waipukurau rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Waipukurau rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could 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 landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Waipukurau, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the standard of Waipukurau rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Waipukurau rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipukurau

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Waipukurau

Rental properties in Waipukurau need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Waipukurau

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Waipukurau

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Waipukurau Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipukurau

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Waipukurau include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipukurau for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting an house 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 insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.