Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Wadestown 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 fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done, and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to note that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Wadestown, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Wadestown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in 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 as Draught-stopping on Wadestown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Wadestown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wadestown

Wadestown rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wadestown

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Wadestown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Wadestown

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Wadestown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.