Healthy Homes Assessment Waipukurau

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Waipukurau rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under 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 healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Waipukurau rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Waipukurau rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Waipukurau, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Waipukurau rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Waipukurau rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Waipukurau Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipukurau

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Waipukurau

Rental properties in Waipukurau need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waipukurau

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Waipukurau

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to allow the household to retain 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 insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waipukurau Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipukurau

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Waipukurau include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipukurau for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.