Healthy Homes Assessment Haumoana

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Haumoana rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to evaluate each of 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Haumoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own 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 adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Haumoana, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Haumoana rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Haumoana rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Haumoana Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haumoana

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors in 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 for healthy houses

Heating Haumoana

Rental properties in Haumoana need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Haumoana

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air will be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough 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 comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Haumoana

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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 quality.

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 for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haumoana

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Haumoana include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haumoana for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.