Healthy Homes Assessment Wairoa

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 now have to make sure that their Wairoa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done and provide a report with all the details required to complete 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 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 $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to evaluate 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Wairoa, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Wairoa rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning 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 and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Wairoa rental properties.

Start now and call about the Wairoa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wairoa

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Wairoa

Wairoa rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. 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 needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wairoa

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wairoa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to hold 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 is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Wairoa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wairoa

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Wairoa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wairoa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.