Healthy Homes Assessment Haumoana

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Haumoana rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Haumoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Haumoana, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Haumoana rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about having a Haumoana Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haumoana

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Haumoana

Rental properties in Haumoana require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Haumoana

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Haumoana

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Haumoana Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haumoana

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Haumoana include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haumoana for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.