Healthy Homes Assessment Haumoana

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Haumoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Haumoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Haumoana, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Haumoana rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is 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 getting a Haumoana Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Haumoana

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Haumoana

Rental properties in Haumoana require a reliable heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Haumoana

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Haumoana

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Haumoana Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Haumoana

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Haumoana include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Haumoana for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.