Healthy Homes Assessment Waipawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Waipawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer the report with 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 complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Waipawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet 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 now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Waipawa, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Waipawa rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Waipawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Waipawa

Waipawa rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waipawa

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Waipawa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Waipawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipawa

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Waipawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipawa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.