Healthy Homes Assessment Wairoa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Wairoa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Wairoa, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Wairoa rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Wairoa rental properties.

Start now and call about the Wairoa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wairoa

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Wairoa

Rental properties in Wairoa need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wairoa

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate 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 the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Wairoa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the household to keep heat.

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 insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Wairoa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wairoa

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wairoa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.