Healthy Homes Assessment Whakatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Whakatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant 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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Whakatu, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Whakatu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Whakatu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whakatu

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Whakatu

Rental properties in Whakatu should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Whakatu

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Whakatu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Whakatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whakatu

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Whakatu include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whakatu for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.