Healthy Homes Assessment Waipatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Waipatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Waipatu, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Waipatu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means 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 in Waipatu rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Waipatu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipatu

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require 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 movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waipatu

Rental properties in Waipatu must have a fixed heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Waipatu

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Waipatu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waipatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipatu

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Waipatu include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipatu for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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