Healthy Homes Assessment Whakatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Whakatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with 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 now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Whakatu, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Whakatu rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Whakatu rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Whakatu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whakatu

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Whakatu

Rental properties in Whakatu must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fixed 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Whakatu

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Whakatu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Whakatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whakatu

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Whakatu include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whakatu for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.