Healthy Homes Assessment Waipatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Waipatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for both 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Waipatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Waipatu, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Waipatu rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Waipatu rental properties.

Start now and call about the Waipatu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipatu

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Waipatu

Rental properties in Waipatu require a reliable source of heat which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Waipatu

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

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Waipatu

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waipatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipatu

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Waipatu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipatu for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.