Healthy Homes Assessment Whakatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Whakatu rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Whakatu, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Whakatu rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Whakatu rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Whakatu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whakatu

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Whakatu

Rental properties in Whakatu need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with 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 determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Whakatu

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Whakatu

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Whakatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Whakatu

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Whakatu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whakatu for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.