Healthy Homes Assessment Haumoana

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 Haumoana rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified 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 Haumoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Haumoana, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Haumoana rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Haumoana rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haumoana

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs 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 crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed 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 to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Haumoana

Rental properties in Haumoana must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Haumoana

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Haumoana

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 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.

Haumoana Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haumoana

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Haumoana include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haumoana for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.