Healthy Homes Assessment Wairoa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wairoa 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 within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Wairoa, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Wairoa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Wairoa rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Wairoa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wairoa

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Wairoa

Wairoa rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wairoa

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. 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 areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wairoa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes more easy for the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• 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 and floor R 1.3
• 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wairoa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wairoa

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Wairoa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wairoa for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.