Healthy Homes Assessment Waipatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Waipatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or 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. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an home assessment done 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?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Waipatu, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Waipatu rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means 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, as well Draught Control for Waipatu rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Waipatu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipatu

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Waipatu

Waipatu rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| 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 suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require 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 suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waipatu

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

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

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Waipatu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Waipatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipatu

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Waipatu include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipatu for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.