Healthy Homes Assessment Waipukurau

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 are now required to make sure that their Waipukurau rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Waipukurau rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Waipukurau rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Waipukurau, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Waipukurau rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance 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 Draught stopping within Waipukurau rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Waipukurau Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waipukurau

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waipukurau

Waipukurau rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waipukurau

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Waipukurau

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Waipukurau Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waipukurau

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Waipukurau include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waipukurau for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.