Healthy Homes Assessment Waipatu

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 make sure their Waipatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to evaluate each of 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Waipatu, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Waipatu rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Waipatu rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Waipatu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipatu

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Waipatu

Rental properties in Waipatu require a reliable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waipatu

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Waipatu

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to allow the home to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Waipatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipatu

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Waipatu include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipatu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and 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 regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.