Healthy Homes Assessment Haumoana

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Haumoana rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st 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 check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Haumoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the 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 suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Haumoana rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about the Haumoana Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haumoana

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Haumoana

Rental properties in Haumoana should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Haumoana

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Haumoana

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task for the household to retain the heat.

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Haumoana Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haumoana

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haumoana for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.