Healthy Homes Assessment Waipukurau

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Waipukurau rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waipukurau rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Waipukurau rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $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.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Waipukurau, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Waipukurau rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Waipukurau rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Waipukurau Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipukurau

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it 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 hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waipukurau

Rental properties in Waipukurau should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile 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 be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Waipukurau

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Waipukurau

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waipukurau Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipukurau

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waipukurau include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipukurau for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.