Healthy Homes Assessment Whakatu

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets 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. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Whakatu rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Whakatu, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Whakatu rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance 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 in Whakatu rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Whakatu Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Whakatu

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Whakatu

Whakatu rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger 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, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Whakatu

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Whakatu

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Whakatu Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing 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

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Whakatu include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Whakatu for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.