Healthy Homes Assessment Whakatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess both 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Whakatu, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Whakatu rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Whakatu rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Whakatu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whakatu

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Whakatu

Whakatu rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Whakatu

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. 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.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Whakatu

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Whakatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Whakatu

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Whakatu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whakatu for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.