Healthy Homes Assessment Whakatu

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 that their Whakatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information 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 not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess 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 on a Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other 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, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Whakatu, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Whakatu rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Whakatu rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whakatu

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Whakatu

Whakatu rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Whakatu

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be 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 rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Whakatu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Whakatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whakatu

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Whakatu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whakatu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.