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 their Wairoa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 can assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess both 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 contract is signed on a Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Wairoa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Wairoa, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Wairoa rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wairoa

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Wairoa

Wairoa rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Wairoa

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Wairoa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Wairoa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wairoa

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wairoa for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.