Healthy Homes Assessment Haumoana

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Haumoana rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Haumoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Haumoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could 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 reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Haumoana, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Haumoana rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Haumoana rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Haumoana Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haumoana

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Haumoana

Haumoana rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Haumoana

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Haumoana

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

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

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Haumoana Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haumoana

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haumoana for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.