Healthy Homes Assessment Whakatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Whakatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request 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 necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Whakatu, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Whakatu rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Whakatu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whakatu

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Whakatu

Whakatu rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the most 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 heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Whakatu

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Whakatu

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for 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 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Whakatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s 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 getting into the home. It also assists 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 Whakatu

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Whakatu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whakatu for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.