Healthy Homes Assessment Waipawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Waipawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 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 determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waipawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Waipawa, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Waipawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Waipawa rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Waipawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Waipawa

Waipawa rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Waipawa

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Waipawa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Waipawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that 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.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipawa

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Waipawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipawa for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.