Healthy Homes Assessment Wairoa

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 now have 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 are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors for 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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Wairoa, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Wairoa rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning 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, as well as Draught stopping in Wairoa rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Wairoa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wairoa

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Wairoa

Rental properties in Wairoa require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wairoa

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air will be easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Wairoa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added 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 it easier to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wairoa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wairoa

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Wairoa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wairoa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.