Healthy Homes Assessment Wairoa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

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

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out 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 accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Wairoa, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Wairoa rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Wairoa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Wairoa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wairoa

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Wairoa

Rental properties in Wairoa need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Wairoa

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Wairoa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the 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 – 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wairoa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the 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
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wairoa for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.